Cost of living in Columbia
Columbia (SC), United States
compared to
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Cost of living in Columbia vs. United States overall average
Columbia is 8.6% cheaper than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 12.6% less in Columbia
- Groceries
-
pay 0.9% less in Columbia
- Transportation
-
pay 15.9% less in Columbia
- Housing
-
pay 17.9% less in Columbia
- Childcare
-
pay 4.2% more in Columbia
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 17.1% less in Columbia
- Clothing
-
pay 0.3% more in Columbia
The cost of childcare and clothing in Columbia are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including housing, entertainment and sports, transportation, restaurants, and groceries are lower in Columbia.
Columbia Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $15.50 |
$12.00
-
$20.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.00 |
$8.00
-
$12.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.45 |
$2.00
-
$2.59
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $1.61 |
$1.29
-
$2.50
|
Columbia - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.47 |
$1.06
-
$6.61
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $4.78 |
$2.43
-
$6.61
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $3.46 |
$2.78
-
$4.00
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.97 |
$1.99
-
$3.79
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $5.42 |
$2.51
-
$13.00
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.32 |
$0.99
-
$7.00
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.81 |
$0.30
-
$2.00
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.34 |
$1.00
-
$5.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.05 |
$0.75
-
$6.00
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.48 |
$0.50
-
$2.50
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.94 |
$0.75
-
$5.00
|
Columbia - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $3.09 |
$2.77
-
$3.18
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $40.00 |
$40.00
-
$40.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $34,244.87 |
$32,790.00
-
$35,699.74
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $14.43 |
$14.43
-
$14.43
|
Columbia - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$54.43 |
$40.00
-
$75.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $1,200.00 |
$900.00
-
$1,800.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $912.50 |
$750.00
-
$1,100.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$164.67 |
$91.76
-
$267.65
|
Columbia - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $1,450.00 |
$675.00
-
$3,500.00
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $22,500.00 |
$12,895.00
-
$50,000.00
|
Columbia - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $4.00 |
$3.50
-
$6.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $3.93 |
$1.50
-
$8.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$8.00 |
$6.50
-
$20.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $36.67 |
$25.00
-
$50.00
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $15.00 |
$12.00
-
$15.00
|
Columbia - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$54.25 |
$30.00
-
$65.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$35.00 |
$25.00
-
$89.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$89.83 |
$60.00
-
$120.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $113.75 |
$64.00
-
$185.00
|
Columbia - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in South Carolina
to see the average cost of cities throughout South Carolina, like
Myrtle Beach,
Florence,
Moncks Corner,
Ladson,
Columbia,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to Columbia.
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