CostIndexUSA

Columbia, SC vs Rancho Cucamonga, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

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

Columbia is moderately cheaper than Rancho Cucamonga — 13.6% lower overall cost of living.

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

Category Breakdown

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

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

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
$90,800
$10,800 more needed in Rancho Cucamonga

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×

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

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

Rancho Cucamonga 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

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
174,453
Top Industries
ManufacturingLogisticsHealthcareRetailFinance

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)

Rancho Cucamonga, 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.