Cost of Living: Hialeah, FL vs Columbia, SC (2026)

Hialeah

Florida
109
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Hialeah is 36% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,558/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 26%
$53,079/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↑ 5%
$359,200 ↑ 48%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 32%
$1,448/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 19%
221,901
Population
138,019

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

35.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Hialeah, FL and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 109 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $400/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $4,800/year.

Median household income is $2,574/year higher in Columbia. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Hialeah is $359,200 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Hialeah vs Columbia — common questions

Is Hialeah or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Hialeah and Columbia?
Median rent in Hialeah is $1,558/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $400/month.
Which city has higher income, Hialeah or Columbia?
Median household income is $53,079 in Hialeah and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $2,574/year higher in Columbia.
How do taxes compare between Florida and South Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Hialeah or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Hialeah has a cost index of 109 with median rent of $1,558/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 Hialeah details → View Columbia details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Hialeah and Columbia

Hialeah vs. Baton Rouge Hialeah vs. San Bernardino Hialeah vs. Richmond Hialeah vs. Tacoma Hialeah vs. Fremont Hialeah vs. Port St. Lucie Columbia vs. Warren Columbia vs. West Valley City Columbia vs. Orange Columbia vs. Hampton Columbia vs. Metairie Columbia vs. Cedar Rapids