CICostIndexUSA

Columbia, SC vs New Haven, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableSC
Columbia
93.7
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
CT
New Haven
104.6
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Columbia is moderately cheaper than New Haven — 11.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbia, you would need $89,300 in New Haven. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+56.4%
Columbia
79.5
New Haven
124.3
🛒 Groceries+1.0%
Columbia
96.3
New Haven
97.3
🚗 Transportation+4.5%
Columbia
103.2
New Haven
107.8
🏥 Healthcare+4.4%
Columbia
93.4
New Haven
97.5
Utilities+64.0%
Columbia
88.3
New Haven
144.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in New Haven, CT
$89,300
$9,300 more needed in New Haven

Formula: salary × (104.6 ÷ 93.7) = salary × 1.1163. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbia, SC

Median Home Price
$258,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
79.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

New Haven, CT

Median Home Price
$415,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
124.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.9×

New Haven has 56.4% higher housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Columbia, SC

Median Household Income
$70,800
Per Capita Income
$40,400
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
Population
136,632
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareEducationFinance

New Haven, CT

Median Household Income
$89,600
Per Capita Income
$51,100
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
Population
130,250
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Columbia, SC
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

New Haven, CT
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.