Columbia, South Carolina
In Columbia, South Carolina, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.80 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.26 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,543, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Columbia's cost-of-living index of 82 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.80
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,543
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$10.23
Combo meal
Electricity
15.41¢
per kWh · ~$139/mo
Car Insurance
$182/mo
$2,180/yr
Median Household Income
$61,699
40.5% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $2,180 in Columbia. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Columbia residents actually pay.
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,543/mo in Columbia. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.00 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.76 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.27 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.82 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$4.70 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$11.73 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.20 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.28 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$4.60 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.53 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.18 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.69 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.69 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.93 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$7.74 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.01 | $5.00 | +24.7% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.27 | $7.76 | +23.8% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.38 | $6.27 | +16.5% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.39 | $1.82 | +30.9% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.82 | $4.70 | +23.0% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.05 | $11.73 | +45.7% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.42 | $5.20 | +52.0% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.56 | $4.28 | +20.2% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.05 | $4.60 | +13.6% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.96 | $2.53 | +29.1% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.72 | $2.18 | +26.7% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.21 | $7.69 | +47.6% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.90 | $4.69 | +20.3% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.41 | $5.93 | +34.5% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.70 | $7.74 | +35.8% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$10.23
Casual Dining
$19.68
Monthly Spend
$340.94
+3.48% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $6.34
$10.23
+61.4%Wendy's
2022: $7.16
$11.05
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $7.67
$11.46
+49.4%Starbucks
2022: $3.77
$5.24
+39.0%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Columbia?
Average 1BR: $1,265/mo · 2BR: $1,821/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
228k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,207
$63k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$62k
household median
Employment by Sector — Columbia
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$65k/yr
~$71k/yr
~$53k/yr
~$83k/yr
~$23k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 45079
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$1,600/wk · $83k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$441/wk · $23k/yr
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