Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Columbia, SC (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Arlington is 19% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,389/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 17%
$73,519/yr ↑ 32%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↓ 24%
$276,400 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 12%
$1,420/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 18%
394,769
Population
138,019

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $231/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $2,772/year.

Median household income is $17,866/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Columbia — common questions

Is Arlington or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Columbia?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $231/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Columbia?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $17,866/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Columbia has a cost index of 80 with rent of $1,158/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Columbia details →

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