CostIndexUSA

Columbia, SC vs Moreno Valley, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableSC
Columbia
93.7
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
CA
Moreno Valley
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Columbia is moderately cheaper than Moreno Valley — 13.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbia, you would need $90,800 in Moreno Valley. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+62.6%
Columbia
79.5
Moreno Valley
129.3
🛒 Groceries+5.3%
Columbia
96.3
Moreno Valley
101.4
🚗 Transportation+3.0%
Columbia
103.2
Moreno Valley
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.0%
Columbia
93.4
Moreno Valley
96.2
Utilities+68.3%
Columbia
88.3
Moreno Valley
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Moreno Valley, CA
$90,800
$10,800 more needed in Moreno Valley

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 93.7) = salary × 1.1355. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbia, SC

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

Moreno Valley, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Moreno Valley has 62.6% higher housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Columbia, SC

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

Moreno Valley, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
208,634
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Columbia, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Moreno Valley, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.