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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Seaside or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- Seaside is 73.8% more expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Seaside or Columbia?
- Seaside housing costs are 294.2% more expensive than Columbia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbia or is Health Care more affordable in Seaside.
- Health related expenses are 24.6% more in Seaside.
 Columbia, SCSeaside, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries96.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing58.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$725,300$338,100
 Utilities109  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock98.6100
 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 Seaside    4 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I’ve lived in Seaside for the past 20 years and I love it. I’m a fourth generation Monterey Bay family. Seaside hands down has the best views in the Monterey Bay. It’s a  More

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Over 15 years ago

Housing in Seaside is more affordable than it was, mainly due to the bursting of the housing bubble. There are still problems, though, mainly because of the huge number  More

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Over 19 years ago

unless you went to grad school, or are already rich, don't expect to be able to get a nice house here. You'll be house-poor(not able to afford anything outside of your  More

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