2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbia, SC vs Staten Island, NY

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Staten Island or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- Staten Island is 81.2% more expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Staten Island or Columbia?
- Staten Island housing costs are 217.1% more expensive than Columbia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbia or is Health Care more affordable in Staten Island.
- Health related expenses are 11.3% more in Staten Island.
 Columbia, SCStaten Island, NYUnited States
 Overall  Unlock158.4100
 Food & Groceries96.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock128.3100
 Housing58.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$660,600$338,100
 Utilities109  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock183.1100
 Miscellaneous92.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbia

Reviews for Staten Island    2 Reviews

Expensive housing. Lots of traffic at times, but still many times nicer than the rest of NYC. Staten Island has a few beautiful beaches, and overall most of the people  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

Low quality of life, expect a 60-90 minute commute if you live here as there are no jobs on the island. As for the people, they are very rude and miserable, have serious  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Staten Island


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.