Elizabeth vs Columbia: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Elizabeth, NJ and Columbia, SC, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Columbia, SC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,665 | 136,754 |
| Median household income | $59,939 | $54,095 |
| Median home value | $358,400 | $226,200 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,390 | $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 Elizabeth, NJ and Columbia, SC comes down to what you value most. Columbia has the lower median home value, and Columbia has the lower median rent.
Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth or Columbia?
- By median home value, Columbia is the cheaper of the two ($226,200 vs $358,400). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Elizabeth or Columbia?
- Median household income is $59,939 in Elizabeth versus $54,095 in Columbia, per the US Census Bureau.