Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Columbia and Greenville have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
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. Columbia has a housing index of 88 while Greenville sits at 85 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $210,000 compared to $250,000 in Greenville, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Columbia versus $1,200 in Greenville.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbia scores 99 while Greenville scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (102) are lower than Greenville (103). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $46,734 compared to $48,912 in Greenville. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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