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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Austin is 68% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,655/mo ↑ 43%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 30%
$91,461/yr ↑ 64%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↓ 39%
$512,700 ↑ 111%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 53%
$1,747/mo ↑ 49%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 33%
967,862
Population
138,019

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $497/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $5,964/year.

Median household income is $35,808/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Columbia — common questions

Is Austin or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Columbia?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $497/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Columbia?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $35,808/year higher in Austin.
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 Austin or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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 Austin details → View Columbia details →

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