Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
51% cheaper
Columbia is 51% more affordable than Brooklyn. A $75,000 salary in Brooklyn is equivalent to $36,923 in Columbia.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New York salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Brooklyn has a housing index of 325 while Columbia sits at 88 (national average = 100). The median home in Brooklyn costs $780,000 compared to $210,000 in Columbia, a difference of $570,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,900 in Brooklyn versus $1,200 in Columbia.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Brooklyn scores 108 while Columbia scores 99.
Healthcare costs in Brooklyn (108) are higher than Columbia (102).
Median household income in Brooklyn is $65,294 compared to $46,734 in Columbia. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Columbia.
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