Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
27% cheaper
Columbia is 27% more affordable than Bend. A $75,000 salary in Bend is equivalent to $54,545 in Columbia.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Oregon salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Bend has a housing index of 182 while Columbia sits at 88 (national average = 100). The median home in Bend costs $580,000 compared to $210,000 in Columbia, a difference of $370,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Bend versus $1,200 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Bend scores 106 while Columbia scores 99.
Healthcare costs in Bend (106) are higher than Columbia (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Bend is $68,234 compared to $46,734 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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