CostIndexUSA

Columbia, SC vs Davenport, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

SC
Columbia
93.7
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Davenport
89.1
overall index
$950/mo rent

Davenport is slightly cheaper than Columbia — 4.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbia, you would need $76,100 in Davenport. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing14.1%
Columbia
79.5
Davenport
68.3
🛒 Groceries2.2%
Columbia
96.3
Davenport
94.2
🚗 Transportation4.8%
Columbia
103.2
Davenport
98.2
🏥 Healthcare4.8%
Columbia
93.4
Davenport
88.9
Utilities+1.8%
Columbia
88.3
Davenport
89.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Columbia to see what you'd need to earn in Davenport to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Davenport, IA
$76,100
$3,900 less needed in Davenport

Formula: salary × (89.1 ÷ 93.7) = salary × 0.9509. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbia, SC

Median Home Price
$248,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
79.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Davenport, IA

Median Home Price
$183,000
Median Monthly Rent
$950
Housing Index
68.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1×

Columbia has 14.1% lower housing costs compared to Davenport.

Income & Job Market

Columbia, SC

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
136,632
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareEducationFinance

Davenport, IA

Median Household Income
$71,300
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
101,715
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Columbia, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Davenport, IA
6.3×income-to-rent ratio

84% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.