Pasadena vs Columbia: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Pasadena, CA and Columbia, SC, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Columbia, SC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,554 | 136,754 |
| Median household income | $97,818 | $54,095 |
| Median home value | $981,600 | $226,200 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,100 | $1,105 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Pasadena, CA and Columbia, SC comes down to what you value most. Columbia has the lower median home value, and Columbia has the lower median rent.
Pasadena has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Pasadena or Columbia?
- By median home value, Columbia is the cheaper of the two ($226,200 vs $981,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Pasadena or Columbia?
- Median household income is $97,818 in Pasadena versus $54,095 in Columbia, per the US Census Bureau.