2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbia, SC vs San Francisco, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- San Francisco is 180.9% more expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Francisco or Columbia?
- San Francisco housing costs are 763.7% more expensive than Columbia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbia or is Health Care more affordable in San Francisco.
- Health related expenses are 0.3% less in San Francisco.
 Columbia, SCSan Francisco, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock245.5100
 Food & Groceries96.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock114.9100
 Housing58.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,237,600$338,100
 Utilities109  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock158.2100
 Miscellaneous92.9  Unlock100
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 2 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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Columbia is such a unique and underrated place. It has a lot of character and history, and good nature trails. Everything feels accessible (by car) and you can get from  More

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Reviews for San Francisco    149 Reviews

from a single guy's perspective. let's start this review from 2017. I moved here to be near to my sister who also relocated, and also to attend Cal State East Bay in  More

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I've lived in San Francisco for ten years. I thought I would write a balanced review for people looking to move here. My family is from places like Boise, Atlanta,  More

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I've lived in San Francisco for ten years. I thought I would write a balanced review for people looking to move here. My family is from places like Boise, Atlanta,  More

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