Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Columbia, SC (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Columbia

South Carolina
80

Nashville is 38% more expensive than Columbia.

$1,486/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,158/mo ↓ 22%
$75,197/yr ↑ 35%
Median Income
$55,653/yr ↓ 26%
$383,100 ↑ 57%
Home Value
$243,500 ↓ 36%
$1,471/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,169/mo ↓ 21%
684,298
Population
138,019

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Columbia, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 80 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $328/month cheaper in Columbia, saving renters about $3,936/year.

Median household income is $19,544/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $243,500 in Columbia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Columbia — common questions

Is Nashville or Columbia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbia is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Columbia?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Columbia it's $1,158/month — a difference of $328/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Columbia?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $55,653 in Columbia. Median household income is $19,544/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and South Carolina?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Columbia?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View Columbia details →

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