🇺🇸 SC, United States · 2026

Cost of Living in Columbia

21.8% below the United States average

Ranked #211 of 577 cities · More expensive than 63.4% of cities worldwide

-21.8%
Cost of Living
-32.9%
Rent
-9.4%
Groceries
-9.2%
Purchasing Power

Compared to United States average · See United States ranking →

Rent Prices in Columbia

Apartment City Centre Outside Centre You Save
1-Bedroom USD 1,255/mo USD 853/mo 32%
3-Bedroom USD 2,146/mo USD 1,772/mo 18%
Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Multi-Source Comparison

★★★ High Confidence

Columbia has a cost of living index of 45.1 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 3 data sources.

45.1
Index
3
Sources
5.1
Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo
48.1
Expatistan
43.0
LivingCost
44.1
ShouldIMove price index
No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities | Data collected: Numbeo October 2026 · Expatistan March 2026 · LivingCost October 2026

Cost Indices

Cost of Living
-21.8% Very affordable
Rent
-32.9% Very affordable
Groceries
-9.4% Affordable
Restaurants
-13.8% Affordable
Purchasing Power
-9.2% Weak

Living in Columbia: What to Expect

Columbia is mid-priced by global standards (ranked #211 of 577 cities). It is 21.8% cheaper than the United States average, based on 82 cities.

Groceries are affordable and dining out is affordable. The best value is rent and the priciest is groceries.

Local purchasing power is strong: residents can afford more goods and services than in most cities.

How Does Columbia Compare?

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