Cost of Living Comparison
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet Help
Compare Cities
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet HelpCompare Cities
Get Assistance
Estates Logo

The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

Explore

  • Browse Cities
  • Affordable Cities
  • Best Cities
  • Compare Cities

Data

  • San Francisco
  • New York
  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

© 2025 Estates. All rights reserved.

Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSitemap

Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Compare

ColumbiavsAustin

Moving from Columbia to Austin will cost approximately $13,324 more on median home prices (3.7% higher). Monthly rent is $56 more expensive in Austin. Median income is 10.0% higher in Austin, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
3.7% more
Rent
3.7% more
View ColumbiaView Austin
Austin

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Columbia, SC

Median Home Price$363,297
Monthly Rent$1,514
Median Income$60,021
Population133,393
Destination

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$376,621+3.7%
Monthly Rent
$1,569+3.7%
Median Income
$66,050+10.0%
Population931,840
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Columbia

2015$868
2020$1,058
2025$1,514

Austin

2015$1,204
2020$1,353
2025$1,569

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Austin.

Columbia

Housing$7,926
Food$5,625
Transport$12,804
Healthcare$9,671
Total$42,865

Austin

Housing$8,287
Food$5,434
Transport$13,321
Healthcare$10,777
Total$43,531
Costs

Key Insights

3.7%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Austin
$56
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
10.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Columbia

Population133,393
Median Age28.0 yrs
Violent Crime Rate514 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2494 per 100k

Austin

Population931,840
Median Age32.7 yrs
Violent Crime Rate453 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2172 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Columbia

514
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2494
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Austin

453
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2172
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Ready to explore more?

Compare other cities or explore detailed information about each location.

Explore ColumbiaExplore Austin

Need Help Settling In?

Moving to a new city can be overwhelming. Our relocation experts are here to help you find the perfect neighborhood, schools, and local services.

No commitment • Response within 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Austin or Columbia?

Columbia is 3.7% cheaper for housing than Austin. The median home price in Columbia is $363,297 compared to $376,621 in Austin.

What is the rent difference between Columbia and Austin?

Monthly rent in Austin averages $1,569, while Columbia averages $1,514. That's a difference of $56 per month, or $666 annually.

How do incomes compare between Columbia and Austin?

The median household income in Austin is $66,050, which is 10.0% higher than Columbia's median of $60,021.

Which city is safer: Columbia or Austin?

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 514 per 100k residents, while Austin has 453 per 100k. Austin is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.