CostIndexUSA

Anaheim, CA vs Columbia, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Anaheim
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Columbia
93.7
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Columbia is significantly cheaper than Anaheim — 17.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anaheim, you would need $66,000 in Columbia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing53.3%
Anaheim
170.4
Columbia
79.5
🛒 Groceries9.7%
Anaheim
106.6
Columbia
96.3
🚗 Transportation5.8%
Anaheim
109.6
Columbia
103.2
🏥 Healthcare5.8%
Anaheim
99.1
Columbia
93.4
Utilities44.3%
Anaheim
158.6
Columbia
88.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anaheim to see what you'd need to earn in Columbia to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Columbia, SC
$66,000
$14,000 less needed in Columbia

Formula: salary × (93.7 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8248. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Columbia, SC

Median Home Price
$248,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
79.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Anaheim has 53.3% lower housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
346,824
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Columbia, SC

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
136,632
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareEducationFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anaheim, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Columbia, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.