Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Columbia, SC Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Columbia, SC

😐 Solo nomad: New York, NY is 57.7% more expensive than Columbia, SC without rent, and 108.9% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: New York, NY is 71.9% more expensive than Columbia, SC without rent, and 138.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.67 $29.67
$18.31 $18.31
62.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$144 $144
$58.9 $58.9
144.28%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.59 $12.59
$11.94 $11.94
5.44%
Cappuccino
$5.98 $5.98
$3.83 $3.83
56.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 $3.39
$2.3 $2.3
47.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.86 $1.86
37.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.17 $8.17
$4.53 $4.53
80.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.87 $11.87
$5.46 $5.46
117.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.62 $1.62
$0.93 $0.93
74.19%
White Bread (500g)
$5.08 $5.08
$2.67 $2.67
90.26%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$8.1 $8.1
$3.52 $3.52
130.11%
Eggs
$6.93 $6.93
$4.27 $4.27
62.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.51 $17.51
$9.32 $9.32
87.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.66 $16.66
$12.87 $12.87
29.45%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.21 $20.21
$22.09 $22.09
-8.51%
Apples (1kg)
$7.65 $7.65
$5.28 $5.28
44.89%
Banana (1kg)
$2.45 $2.45
$1.81 $1.81
35.36%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.8 $5.8
$5.09 $5.09
13.95%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.43 $6.43
$3.15 $3.15
104.13%
Potato (1kg)
$3.81 $3.81
$3.36 $3.36
13.39%
Onion (1kg)
$4.11 $4.11
$4.58 $4.58
-10.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.06 $3.06
$2.02 $2.02
51.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.45 $2.45
$1.8 $1.8
36.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$19.23 $19.23
$8.7 $8.7
121.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.19 $18.19
$15.02 $15.02
21.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.99 $2.99
$1.96 $1.96
52.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.89 $3.89
$2.64 $2.64
47.35%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.92 $2.92
$2.01 $2.01
45.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$134 $134
$40.6 $40.6
229.24%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.95 $4.95
$1.98 $1.98
150.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.2 $2.2
$1.48 $1.48
48.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.94 $41.94
$17.8 $17.8
135.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.9 $0.9
$0.77 $0.77
16.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.2K $35.2K
$29.6K $29.6K
18.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4K $28.4K
$25K $25K
13.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$184 $184
$218 $218
-15.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.5 $60.5
$55 $55
9.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.9 $61.9
$58.9 $58.9
5.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$141 $141
$40.34 $40.34
248.93%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$63.9 $63.9
$6.92 $6.92
822.98%
Cinema Ticket
$20.05 $20.05
$14.92 $14.92
34.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,180 $3,180
$1,457 $1,457
118.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$57.3K $57.3K
$22.3K $22.3K
156.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.2 $66.2
$55.5 $55.5
19.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.98 $47.98
$34.38 $34.38
39.56%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$113 $113
$80.5 $80.5
40.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$167 $167
$115 $115
45.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,112 $4,112
$1,277 $1,277
222.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,636 $2,636
$913 $913
188.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$8,529 $8,529
$2,230 $2,230
282.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,190 $5,190
$1,287 $1,287
303.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$15.2K $15.2K
$1,838 $1,838
724.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$11.2K $11.2K
$1,791 $1,791
523.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Columbia, SC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,445 $5,445
$3,479 $3,479
56.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.54
-1.53%

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

Last update for New York, NY: November 5, 2025

Last update for Columbia, SC: November 3, 2025

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