Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Columbia, SC?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 15.2% of gross income.
Columbia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Carolina cities have lower median rent than Columbia, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbia
View full rent data for Columbia, SC →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Columbia, SC?
Median rent in Columbia is $1,478 a month. A typical pharmacist in South Carolina earns about $116,820 a year, which makes that rent 15.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Columbia?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in South Carolina (~$116,820/yr) supports up to $2,921 a month in rent. Columbia's current median rent is $1,478/mo, which leaves a $1,443/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Columbia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $56 an hour, a pharmacist in South Carolina works roughly 26.3 hours a month to cover Columbia's median rent of $1,478.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbia for a pharmacist?
Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Port Royal ($1,471/mo), Forest Acres ($1,469/mo), North Myrtle Beach ($1,469/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.