$100k a year, no longer in Allentown
changea dispatch from
columbia
SC
34.00°N
81.03°W
Columbia is the South Carolina capital, USC Gamecock country, and home to one of the largest urban rivers (the Congaree) flowing right past downtown. The Saluda River outside town is a tubing destination locals swear by, and Congaree National Park's old-growth cypress is a 30-minute drive. The state museum is a sleeper good time. Slower-paced than Charleston, less touristy.
in our guides
the verdict
more expensive each month than Allentown
Barely costlier than Allentown. If Columbia pulls you in, it's the life it offers, not the price tag.
a quick ledger.
$1,551/mo
14% cheaper than Allentown(vs $1,809/mo)
6.5%
$286/mo more in state tax than Allentown
vs 3.07% in Allentown
$6,241/mo
$28 less than Allentown
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$255k
29% cheaper than Allentown
vs $359k in Allentown
857k
vs 874k in Allentown
field notes, weather & such.
189
pleasant days a year, in columbia.
Allentown only logs 157 pleasant days. Summers run hot, though: 27 days above 95° vs Allentown's 2.
A similar weekend lineup to Allentown.
55/100
25% lower than Allentown
vs 73/100 in Allentown
Closest outdoor draw: Congaree National Park, 29.1 mi.
85/100
1% lower than Allentown
vs 86/100 in Allentown
10
11% more than Allentown
vs 9 nonstops in Allentown
neighbors of columbia on the map of tradeoffs:
compare columbia with:
