Denver vs Columbia

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · South Carolina salaries

Living in Denver vs Columbia

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Columbia sits at 88 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $210,000 in Columbia, a difference of $310,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,200 in Columbia.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Columbia scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Columbia (102). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $46,734 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.

Relocating: Denver vs Columbia

If you are considering a move between Denver (index: 118) and Columbia (index: 96), the 19% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Columbia is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Denver can afford $1,695/month, while the median household in Columbia can afford $1,090/month. With median homes at $520,000 in Denver versus $210,000 in Columbia, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $1,900/month in Denver and $1,200/month in Columbia, renters save significantly in Columbia. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Columbia where costs are 4% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Denver (118) vs Columbia (96)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Denver at 118 is 18% above the US average, while Columbia at 96 is 4% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Denver costs meaningfully more than Columbia, with a 22-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Denver scores 152 and Columbia scores 88. That 64-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Columbia with indices of 88 versus 152. Median home prices of $520,000 in Denver and $210,000 in Columbia underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Denver has an edge in utilities, while Columbia is more affordable for housing and groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,900/month in Denver and $1,200/month in Columbia, the annual rent difference is approximately $8,400. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $42,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $310,000 difference in median home prices between Denver and Columbia translates to roughly $18,600 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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