2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbia, SC vs Wausau, WI

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Wausau or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- Wausau is 3.1% less expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, Wausau or Columbia?
- Wausau housing costs are 0.5% less expensive than Columbia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbia or is Health Care more affordable in Wausau.
- Health related expenses are 14.7% less in Wausau.
 Columbia, SCWausau, WIUnited States
 Overall  Unlock84.7100
 Food & Groceries96.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock98.3100
 Housing58.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$174,800$338,100
 Utilities109  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock75.8100
 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 Wausau    6 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

I visited Wausau during the summer and it was a very nice change from Phoenix. The people were friendly & helpful. It was a little humid than what I’m used to but  More

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Beautiful area geographically but beneath that beauty are some of the most overly conservative, unfriendly, judgemental people anywhere. Very hard to make friends here  More

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I LIVED IN WAUSAU WI OVER 23 YEARS AGO. I RELOCATED TO WYOMING IN 1990 FOR GOVERMENT POSITION. NOW RETIRED FROM FEDERAL SERVICE, I WILL BE MOVING BACK TO THE UPPER  More

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