salaryColumbia is the 2nd-largest city in South Carolina that we track, with 139,643 residents. Rent is lower than in 64% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $55,760 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of South Carolina. It is number 48 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Columbia?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Columbia
| Size | Columbia | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $898 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,183 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,268 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,438 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,330 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Columbia overall?
Everyday prices in the Columbia metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Columbia
Life in Columbia
What jobs pay in Columbia
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | 12.5% |
| Software Developer | $123,380 | 13.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | 14.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | 14.4% |
| Lawyer | $105,200 | 15.9% |
| Operations Manager | $103,950 | 16.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | 17.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $90,760 | 18.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | 20.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | 20.4% |
| Accountant | $69,210 | 24.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,600 | 24.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,110 | 26.9% |
| Electrician | $60,390 | 27.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,050 | 27.9% |
| Police Officer | $59,260 | 28.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $57,610 | 29.0% |
| Plumber | $52,070 | 32.1% |
| Truck Driver | $51,280 | 32.6% |
| Carpenter | $48,070 | 34.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,680 | 41.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,530 | 44.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,430 | 44.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | 44.7% |
| Firefighter | $36,960 | 45.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,490 | 47.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,540 | 56.6% |
| Cashier | $27,830 | 60.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $17,810 | 93.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Columbia?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $440 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $264,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,430 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Columbia, SC?
Renting in Columbia costs a median of about $1,394 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Columbia?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,760 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia cheap or expensive?
Columbia is rated OK: rent takes 27.9% of the typical household income of $59,888. It ranks 48th cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Columbia?
The median homeowner in Columbia pays $1,700 a year in property taxes, about 0.64% of the median home value.
Is Columbia more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $264,300, about 4.4 times the typical yearly household income.
139,643 people live in Columbia. Numbers are typical (middle) values.