2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Wake Forest, NC vs Columbia, SC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or is it cheaper to live in Wake Forest?
- Columbia is 17.4% less expensive than Wake Forest.

Which city has more affordable housing, Columbia or Wake Forest?
- Columbia housing costs are 57.1% less expensive than Wake Forest housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Wake Forest or is Health Care more affordable in Columbia.
- Health related expenses are 21.6% more in Columbia.
 Wake Forest, NCColumbia, SCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock87.4100
 Food & Groceries101.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock115.3100
 Housing136.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$204,100$338,100
 Utilities104  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock76.4100
 Miscellaneous109.7  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 Wake Forest    5 Reviews

Im a 22 year old male from Denver Colorado.im looking to relocate and transfer for work . Colorado has high taxes and high cost of living and also to much snow during  More

   |    Reply

Relocating from New York City three years ago took some adjustment and once settled in Wake Forest I was able to breath a little bit easier. The pace is something you  More

   |    Reply

The Triangle is a great place to work and live, more reasonable than the North but more expensive than most places in the South. We live in a beautiful  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Wake Forest

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


Learn More About Wake Forest, North Carolina
Overview
Cost of Living
Job Market
Crime
Climate
Economy
Religion
Voting
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.