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Last updated: Feb 2026

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ColumbiavsSeattle

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Columbia to Seattle will cost approximately $167,624 more on median home prices (46.1% higher). Monthly rent is $698 more expensive in Seattle. Median income is 24.7% higher in Seattle, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
46.1% more
Rent
46.1% more
View ColumbiaView Seattle
Seattle

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

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$530,921+46.1%
Monthly Rent
$2,212+46.1%
Median Income
$74,820+24.7%
Population684,443
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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

Seattle

2015$1,625
2020$1,724
2025$2,212

Annual Cost of Living

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

Columbia

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

Seattle

Housing$10,040
Food$6,538
Transport$13,805
Healthcare$8,679
Total$51,246
Costs

Key Insights

46.1%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Seattle
$698
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
24.7%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Columbia

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

Seattle

Population684,443
Median Age35.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate336 per 100k
Property Crime Rate3036 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Columbia

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

Seattle

336
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
3036
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Columbia?

Columbia is 46.1% cheaper for housing than Seattle. The median home price in Columbia is $363,297 compared to $530,921 in Seattle.

What is the rent difference between Columbia and Seattle?

Monthly rent in Seattle averages $2,212, while Columbia averages $1,514. That's a difference of $698 per month, or $8,381 annually.

How do incomes compare between Columbia and Seattle?

The median household income in Seattle is $74,820, which is 24.7% higher than Columbia's median of $60,021.

Which city is safer: Columbia or Seattle?

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 514 per 100k residents, while Seattle has 336 per 100k. Seattle 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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