Cost of living, Columbia
93.7
BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Columbia sits about 6.3% below national prices.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US
- −6.3%
- Metro
- Columbia
- CBSA
- 17900
Columbia all-items RPP is 93.7 (2024), about 6.3% below US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $84,330 here for equal purchasing power.
Price components in Columbia
| Component | Columbia | US |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.7 | 100 |
| Goods | 96.3 | 100 |
| Housing (rents) | 79.5 | 100 |
| Other services | 98.3 | 100 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.
What a US-average salary buys in Columbia
| At US average | In Columbia |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | $56,220 |
| $90,000 | $84,330 |
| $150,000 | $140,550 |
Local equivalent = national salary × (93.7 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.
Top wages here
FAQ
- What is the cost of living in Columbia?
- The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Columbia, SC is 93.7, versus a US average of 100 (−6.3%).
- How is RPP different from CPI?
- CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
- How should I use this with OEWS wages?
- Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $84,330 in Columbia for equal purchasing power.
- Does this include taxes or housing alone?
- No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Highest wages here
- Chief Executives , 320 OEWS emp. $176,890
- Architectural and Engineering Managers , 360 OEWS emp. $162,260
- Computer and Information Systems Managers , 990 OEWS emp. $141,570
- Marketing Managers , 560 OEWS emp. $136,930
- Pharmacists , 1,050 OEWS emp. $133,850
- Managers, All Other , 410 OEWS emp. $129,960
See methodology and disclaimer.