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2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbia, SC vs Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- Des Moines is 0.9% less expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Des Moines or Columbia?
- Des Moines housing costs are 1.0% less expensive than Columbia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbia or is Health Care more affordable in Des Moines.
- Health related expenses are 11.2% less in Des Moines.
 Columbia, SCDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Overall87.486.6100
 Food & Groceries96.096.0100
 Health115.3102.4100
 Housing58.457.8100
 Median Home Cost$204,100$175,700$338,100
 Utilities10,890.0%8,960.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation76.474.7100
 Miscellaneous92.9112.2100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Columbia    50 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

I love living in Columbia! I recently graduated from USC and plan to stay. I read the reviews posted here and it shows that like many cities, your experience will depend  More

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Loved living in Columbia, SC prior to my job transfer. It's the perfect size - plenty to do, but still a laid back place. People are extremely friendly, there are  More

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I moved to Columbia for graduate school and although it is a giant step up from my small, out-of-state hometown, I became bored and restless here in less than a year.  More

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Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

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Dude · 
Over 4 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

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Over 5 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

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ZIPS IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
29229, 29203, 29209, 29045, 29205, 29201, 29204, 29207, 29225, 29208, 10 total
ZIPS IN DES MOINES, IOWA
50317, 50315, 50310, 50320, 50313, 50316, 50312, 50311, 50314, 50321, 12 total

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