CostByCity

Ames, IA vs Columbia, SC

Cost of Living Comparison

Ames, IA is more affordable by 4.8 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryAmes, IAColumbia, SCDifference
Overall88.893.7-4.8
Housing69.279.5-10.3
Goods93.796.3-2.6
Utilities83.088.3-5.3
Other Services92.998.3-5.4

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricAmes, IAColumbia, SC
Median Household Income$68,107$63,471
Median Home Value$216,000$192,600
Median Monthly Rent$981$1,096
Per Capita Income$36,295$35,400

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ames, IA or Columbia, SC cheaper to live in?
Ames, IA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 4.8 index points (Ames, IA: 88.8, Columbia, SC: 93.7).
Where is housing cheaper, Ames, IA or Columbia, SC?
Housing is more affordable in Ames, IA. Housing index: Ames, IA (69.2) vs Columbia, SC (79.5).