Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
13% cheaper
Columbia is 13% more affordable than Charleston. A $75,000 salary in Charleston is equivalent to $65,455 in Columbia.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Carolina salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charleston has a housing index of 127 while Columbia sits at 88 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $210,000 in Columbia, a difference of $170,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,200 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charleston scores 102 while Columbia scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Columbia (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $46,734 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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