Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Columbia and Rochester 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 · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbia has a housing index of 88 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbia costs $210,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $55,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Columbia versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbia scores 99 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbia (102) are higher than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbia is $46,734 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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