Salary Needed to Live in Columbia as a Retiree

A retired individual (65+) needs approximately $18,566/year to live comfortably in Columbia, SC — including 5% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$18,566
with 5% savings
Bare Minimum
$17,328
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,083
11% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Retiree in Columbia

ExpenseColumbiaNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 1-2BR Senior-Friendly Rent$104$121-14%
🛒 Groceries$17$16+6%
⚡ Utilities$12$15-20%
🚗 Transportation$15$18-17%
🛡️ Car Insurance$197$223-12%
🏥 Health Insurance$45$56-20%
Medicare Supplement$180$200-10%
Prescription Drugs$135$150-10%
Internet + Phone$108$120-10%
Recreation & Social$180$200-10%
Home Maintenance$90$100-10%
Total Monthly$1,083$1,219-11%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,083
Target savings (5%):$61/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,144
Effective tax rate:25%

Gross annual salary needed:$18,566

Other Household Types in Columbia

Single Person
$17,963/yr
$973/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$24,781/yr
$1,301/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$52,520/yr
$2,626/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in ColumbiaCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a retiree need in Columbia?
A retiree needs approximately $18,566/year ($1,547/month gross) to live comfortably in Columbia with a 5% savings rate.
How much is rent for a retiree in Columbia?
A 1-2br senior-friendly in Columbia costs approximately $104/month, which is the largest single expense at 10% of the total budget.
Is Columbia affordable for a retiree?
Yes, Columbia is 11% more affordable than the national average for a retiree.
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