Median rent is 29% lower in Columbia ($1,158/mo vs $1,632/mo). Buying is cheaper in Columbia, where the median home runs $243,500 versus $469,100. Households earn more in Charleston ($90,038 vs $55,653 a year).
City A
Charleston, SC
City B
Columbia, SC
How much would you need to earn in Columbia, SC to maintain your standard of living from Charleston, SC?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Charleston
South Carolina
Columbia
South Carolina
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Columbia — median rent of $1,158/mo versus $1,632/mo in Charleston, a 29% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Charleston: the median home is $469,100 versus $243,500 in Columbia — 48% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
South Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.40% versus 6.40% in South Carolina, so Columbia is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in South Carolina and 6.00% in South Carolina; Columbia has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Charleston
Income tax: 6.40%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Columbia
Income tax: 6.40%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Charleston (avg AQI 28.0) but not yet for Columbia.
Pick Charleston if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,038/yr).
Pick Columbia if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,158/mo median).
Is Charleston cheaper than Columbia?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Charleston vs Columbia?
Median rent is $1,632/mo in Charleston, SC and $1,158/mo in Columbia, SC. Columbia, SC has the lower rent by about 29%.
Which has higher salaries — Charleston or Columbia?
Median household income is $90,038 in Charleston, SC and $55,653 in Columbia, SC. Charleston, SC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Charleston or Columbia?
South Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.40% and South Carolina's is 6.40%. Columbia, SC has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Columbia to match my Charleston income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology