Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
17% cheaper
Columbia is 17% more affordable than Frisco. A $75,000 salary in Frisco is equivalent to $62,609 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 · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbia has a housing index of 88 while Frisco sits at 142 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $210,000 compared to $500,000 in Frisco, a difference of $290,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Columbia versus $1,900 in Frisco.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbia scores 99 while Frisco scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (102) are higher than Frisco (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $46,734 compared to $126,048 in Frisco. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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