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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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ColumbiavsSan Francisco

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Columbia to San Francisco will cost approximately $519,582 more on median home prices (143.0% higher). Monthly rent is $2,165 more expensive in San Francisco. Median income is 38.2% higher in San Francisco, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
143.0% more
Rent
143.0% more
View ColumbiaView San Francisco
San Francisco

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Columbia, SC

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

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$882,879+143.0%
Monthly Rent
$3,679+143.0%
Median Income
$82,922+38.2%
Population864,816
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Cities Location Map

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

San Francisco

2015$3,234
2020$2,856
2025$3,679

Annual Cost of Living

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

Columbia

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

San Francisco

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$68,844
Costs

Key Insights

143.0%
Housing Cost
more expensive in San Francisco
$2,165
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
38.2%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Columbia

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

San Francisco

Population864,816
Median Age38.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Columbia

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

San Francisco

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or Columbia?

Columbia is 143.0% cheaper for housing than San Francisco. The median home price in Columbia is $363,297 compared to $882,879 in San Francisco.

What is the rent difference between Columbia and San Francisco?

Monthly rent in San Francisco averages $3,679, while Columbia averages $1,514. That's a difference of $2,165 per month, or $25,979 annually.

How do incomes compare between Columbia and San Francisco?

The median household income in San Francisco is $82,922, which is 38.2% higher than Columbia's median of $60,021.

Which city is safer: Columbia or San Francisco?

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 514 per 100k residents, while San Francisco has 481 per 100k. San Francisco 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.

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