Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
16% cheaper
Columbia is 16% more affordable than Ann Arbor. A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor is equivalent to $63,158 in Columbia.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Michigan salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Ann Arbor has a housing index of 135 while Columbia sits at 88 (national average = 100). The median home in Ann Arbor costs $400,000 compared to $210,000 in Columbia, a difference of $190,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Ann Arbor versus $1,200 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Ann Arbor scores 101 while Columbia scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Ann Arbor (101) are lower than Columbia (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Ann Arbor is $65,024 compared to $46,734 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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