Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
9% cheaper
Columbia is 9% more affordable than Colorado Springs. A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs is equivalent to $68,571 in Columbia.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Colorado Springs has a housing index of 115 while Columbia sits at 88 (national average = 100). The median home in Colorado Springs costs $380,000 compared to $210,000 in Columbia, a difference of $170,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Colorado Springs versus $1,200 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Colorado Springs scores 100 while Columbia scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Colorado Springs (104) are higher than Columbia (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Colorado Springs is $64,712 compared to $46,734 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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