Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Columbia, SC Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Columbia, SC

😐 Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 8.8% more expensive than Columbia, SC without rent, and 24.6% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Austin, TX is 10.2% more expensive than Columbia, SC without rent, and 38% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$18.21 $18.21
7.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$60.5 $60.5
26.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$11.9 $11.9
-16.39%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$3.82 $3.82
46.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.37 $2.37
11.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.86 $1.86
17.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$4.41 $4.41
32.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$5.6 $5.6
41.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.87 $0.87
29.89%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$2.61 $2.61
26.44%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$3.64 $3.64
-3.85%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$4.26 $4.26
3.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$9.39 $9.39
27.80%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$12.99 $12.99
-17.78%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$22.61 $22.61
-34.85%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$5.21 $5.21
-6.33%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.84 $1.84
-17.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$5.27 $5.27
-14.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$3.27 $3.27
19.88%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$3.19 $3.19
-14.73%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$4.63 $4.63
-40.39%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.99 $1.99
1.01%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.89 $1.89
15.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$8.53 $8.53
3.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$14.84 $14.84
0.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.02 $2.02
15.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$2.64 $2.64
30.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.96 $1.96
-24.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
$40.68 $40.68
5.26%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$2.03 $2.03
111.82%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.52 $1.52
19.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$18.06 $18.06
91.75%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.76 $0.76
-3.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$30.4K $30.4K
-16.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$25.6K $25.6K
2.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$218 $218
-19.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$53.7 $53.7
9.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$60.2 $60.2
7.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$40.01 $40.01
56.44%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
$7.01 $7.01
45.08%
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$15.19 $15.19
-3.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$1,431 $1,431
-3.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$22.3K $22.3K
0.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$56.7 $56.7
-0.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$35.31 $35.31
31.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$80.3 $80.3
7.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$116 $116
2.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,306 $1,306
67.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$904 $904
54.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,200 $2,200
77.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$1,290 $1,290
108.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$1,827 $1,827
141.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$1,750 $1,750
80.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Columbia, SC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$3,526 $3,526
38.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.54
-1.38%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for Columbia, SC: October 29, 2025

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