Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Columbia, SC (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Cleveland is 36% cheaper than Columbia.

$894/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↑ 30%
$39,187/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↑ 42%
$94,100 ↓ 61%
Home Value
$243,500 ↑ 159%
$866/mo ↓ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↑ 35%
367,523
Population
138,019

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
6.4%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $264/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $3,168/year.

Median household income is $16,466/year higher in Columbia. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Columbia — common questions

Is Cleveland or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Columbia?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $264/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Columbia?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $16,466/year higher in Columbia.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and South Carolina?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/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 Cleveland details → View Columbia details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cleveland and Columbia

Cleveland vs. New Orleans Cleveland vs. Honolulu Cleveland vs. Aurora Cleveland vs. Anaheim Cleveland vs. Tampa Cleveland vs. Henderson Columbia vs. Warren Columbia vs. West Valley City Columbia vs. Orange Columbia vs. Hampton Columbia vs. Metairie Columbia vs. Cedar Rapids