Columbia, United States 🇺🇸
#1372
34.000311, -81.03313
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina, known for its rich history and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is around 133,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is about 150 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD equals 1 USD. Local banks include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and First Citizens. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. Columbia has a reliable water supply. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common payment methods include cash, debit, and credit cards. Services like PayPal and Venmo are also widely used. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local apartments, and extended stay hotels. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted across most establishments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular platforms for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like HI Columbia Hostel and budget hotels like Motel 6 offer affordable lodging. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Civic Studio is a popular coworking space with great amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The War Mouth is known for its coffee and conducive work environment. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Columbia Technology Incubator hosts various networking events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Meetup groups like 'Columbia Expats' and 'Columbia Entrepreneurs' often organize social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are the most widely used ride-sharing apps. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | The city has bike rental programs like BlueBike and scooter rentals available via apps. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Myrtle Beach is the closest beach, approximately 120 miles away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | American Airlines is one of the main regional carriers. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Delta Air Lines and United Airlines operate flights from Columbia Metropolitan Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Interstates 20 and 26 provide major road connections. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Amtrak's station in Columbia connects to major routes. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority offers local bus service with day passes available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses are available to nearby cities such as Charleston and Greenville. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Palmetto Health Richland is the main hospital in Columbia. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga on Main and Hot Yoga Columbia are popular yoga centers. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness are well-known gym chains in the area. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin-operated laundromats like LaundroLand are available throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | DoorDash and UberEats are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Shrimp and Grits, a local Southern delicacy. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Good Life Cafe offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Sweet Cream Company is famous for its creative ice cream flavors. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Farmers Market at 1400 Laurel St is a great place for budget groceries. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and eBay offer convenience for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Shipt provide grocery delivery services to Columbia. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Vista district is well-known for nightlife with various bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. offers local brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Whig is a popular wine bar in Columbia. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks at the Soda City Market are a must-try for street food. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Café Caturra offers global dishes ranging from Mediterranean to Asian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The South Carolina State House and Riverbanks Zoo & Garden are must-visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Columbia Museum of Art showcases various exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The historic district of Columbia offers charming streets and buildings of significance. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Trinity Cathedral is a prominent downtown church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Columbia International Festival occurs every spring, celebrating cultural diversity. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Vista is the city’s arts and cultural hub. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Koger Center for the Arts hosts performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Soda City Market on Saturdays is a vibrant local market with crafts and food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Music Farm is a popular venue for live music in Columbia. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Main Street District features numerous murals and urban art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Farmer's Market Cooking School offers classes focusing on local ingredients. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | One Eared Cow Glass showcases local artisan crafts and glasswork. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Robert Mills House is a historical landmark worth visiting. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Columbia has a rich history connected to the Civil War and Southern heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Congaree National Park offers stunning trails and scenery. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Congaree National Park is the closest national park, located about 30 minutes away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Riverwalk Park provides scenic cycling and walking paths along the river. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Finlay Park offers great views and is a popular picnic area. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Congaree National Park is renowned for its birdwatching opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas at Lake Murray State Park have designated spots for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | USPS, FedEx, and UPS offer reliable shipping options in Columbia. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Best Buy and various local shops provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Nearby parks often have table tennis tables for public use. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Berlitz offers language classes for various languages in Columbia. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Richland Library system has multiple locations conducive for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Columbia Parks and Recreation offers community programs and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Titan Gaming Center is known for its gaming events and social space. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no major casinos in Columbia, but nearby regions have gaming facilities. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Average price is approximately $250,000 per studio (about $2,000 per square meter). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Average price is around $190,000 per studio (about $1,800 per square meter). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $300,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment (about $2,500 per square meter). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $240,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment (about $2,200 per square meter). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $400,000 for a 2-bedroom apartment (about $3,000 per square meter). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $320,000 for a 2-bedroom apartment (about $2,800 per square meter). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 21%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The standard dividend withholding tax is 0%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on their worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 7%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Sales tax is approximately 7%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are regulations governing foreign earnings. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Typically 3% for property transactions. |