What Salary Do You Need to Live in Columbia, SC?

To live comfortably in Columbia, a household needs to earn roughly $55,000/year. That's about $4,583/month before taxes.

The Number: $55,000/year

At $55,000 per year, a household in Columbia can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Columbia's median monthly rent of $1,249 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Columbia at a Glance

Median rent$1,249/mo
Median home price$287,600
Median household income$55,233
State income taxUp to 6.2%
Sales tax8%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Columbia on roughly $35,000/year. That's about $2,917/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Columbia

The median monthly rent is $1,249. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $50,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $287,600. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $57,520 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $55,233/year. Our recommended salary of $55,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.