CostIndexUSA

Chandler, AZ vs Columbia, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Chandler
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Columbia
93.7
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Columbia is moderately cheaper than Chandler — 9.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chandler, you would need $72,600 in Columbia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing34.4%
Chandler
121.2
Columbia
79.5
🛒 Groceries+1.4%
Chandler
95
Columbia
96.3
🚗 Transportation5.5%
Chandler
109.2
Columbia
103.2
🏥 Healthcare5.5%
Chandler
98.8
Columbia
93.4
Utilities5.4%
Chandler
93.3
Columbia
88.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Columbia, SC
$72,600
$7,400 less needed in Columbia

Formula: salary × (93.7 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9071. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chandler, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Columbia, SC

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

Chandler has 34.4% lower housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Chandler, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
261,165
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Chandler, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.