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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Houston is 10% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,313/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 12%
$62,894/yr ↑ 13%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↓ 12%
$253,400 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 4%
$1,316/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 11%
2,300,419
Population
138,019

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $155/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $1,860/year.

Median household income is $7,241/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Columbia — common questions

Is Houston or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Columbia?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $155/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Columbia?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $7,241/year higher in Houston.
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 Houston or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View Columbia details →

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