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

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ColumbiavsHouston

Moving from Columbia to Houston will cost approximately $11,858 more on median home prices (3.3% higher). Monthly rent is $49 more expensive in Houston. Median income is 10.0% higher in Houston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
3.3% more
Rent
3.3% more
View ColumbiaView Houston
Houston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Columbia, SC

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

Houston, TX

Median Home Price
$375,155+3.3%
Monthly Rent
$1,563+3.3%
Median Income
$66,050+10.0%
Population2,298,628
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

Houston

2015$1,208
2020$1,301
2025$1,563

Annual Cost of Living

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

Columbia

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

Houston

Housing$8,287
Food$5,434
Transport$13,321
Healthcare$10,777
Total$43,458
Costs

Key Insights

3.3%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Houston
$49
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

Houston

Population2,298,628
Median Age32.6 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)

Houston

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Houston or Columbia?

Columbia is 3.3% cheaper for housing than Houston. The median home price in Columbia is $363,297 compared to $375,155 in Houston.

What is the rent difference between Columbia and Houston?

Monthly rent in Houston averages $1,563, while Columbia averages $1,514. That's a difference of $49 per month, or $593 annually.

How do incomes compare between Columbia and Houston?

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

Which city is safer: Columbia or Houston?

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 514 per 100k residents, while Houston has 453 per 100k. Houston 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.