Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
10% cheaper
Columbia is 10% more affordable than Austin. A $75,000 salary in Austin is equivalent to $67,290 in Columbia.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Columbia sits at 88 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $210,000 in Columbia, a difference of $220,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $1,200 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Austin scores 96 while Columbia scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are lower than Columbia (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $46,734 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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