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

Columbia

South Carolina
80
VS

Beaumont

Texas
66

Columbia is 21% more expensive than Beaumont.

$1,158/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↓ 7%
$55,653/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$57,530/yr ↑ 3%
$243,500 ↑ 53%
Home Value
$158,800 ↓ 35%
$1,169/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,031/mo ↓ 12%
138,019
Population
113,710

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Columbia, SC and Beaumont, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $86/month cheaper in Beaumont, saving renters about $1,032/year.

Median household income is $1,877/year higher in Beaumont. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Columbia is $243,500 compared to $158,800 in Beaumont.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbia vs Beaumont — common questions

Is Columbia or Beaumont cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Beaumont is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Columbia and Beaumont?
Median rent in Columbia is $1,158/month and in Beaumont it's $1,072/month — a difference of $86/month.
Which city has higher income, Columbia or Beaumont?
Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia and $57,530 in Beaumont. Median household income is $1,877/year higher in Beaumont.
How do taxes compare between South Carolina and Texas?
South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Columbia or Beaumont?
It depends on your priorities. Columbia has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,158/mo, while Beaumont has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Columbia details → View Beaumont details →

More Comparisons

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