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Columbia, South Carolina Retirement Guide
established retirement community
57
Retirement Score
Columbia, South Carolina at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $286,200
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.
- Avg January Low
- 38.2°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 93.3 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 57 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
93.3 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$286,200High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,130High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
51.6 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
63.6 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
51.6 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
90.3°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
38.2°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
47.1"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
304 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
44.3 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
100 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
6 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
136,754High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
28.3High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
10.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$54,095High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
47.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
7.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
44.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
24.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
50.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
40.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
5.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
2.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Columbia using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$620
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$696
Median home price used: $286,200
Median rent reference: $1,130 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.