Here's what it costs to live in Columbia, South Carolina, based on the latest US government data. Renters pay a median of $1,204 per month, while the typical home is valued around $264,300. Households earn a median of $55,529 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$55,529
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,204
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$264,300
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
N/A
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,032
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,164
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,276
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$1,623
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | N/A |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | N/A |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | N/A |
| ⚡Electrician | N/A |
| 📊Accountant | N/A |
| 🔧Plumber | N/A |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | N/A |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | N/A |
| 👔Operations Manager | N/A |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | N/A |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | N/A |
| 🚛Truck Driver | N/A |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
139,643
Latest estimate
Median Age
28.6 yrs
Census ACS
🌬️
AQI data not available
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,285
Per month
Avg Home Value
$308,567
Census ACS
January Avg
46°F
July Avg
83°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.4
poor
Hospitals
6
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
92.3%
What is the cost of living index for Columbia?
The cost of living index for Columbia is not yet available in our database.
What is the median rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $1,204 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Columbia?
The median household income in Columbia is $55,529 per year.
What is the median home value in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $264,300 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Columbia?
Air quality data for Columbia is not yet available.
What are the taxes like in Columbia?
Tax data for South Carolina is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
