Columbia Chamber of Commerce : 2015 Cost of Living Statistics

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2015 Cost of Living Statistics

The cost to live in Columbia has again fallen below the national average. Living costs in Columbia were 4.7% below the nationwide average according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index provided by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). Columbia received a composite index figure of 95.3 for 2015. The figure refers to $100 worth of goods purchased in an average U.S. city only costing $95.30 in Columbia.

Items on which the Index is based have been carefully chosen to reflect the different categories of consumer expenditures. The composite Index is based on six weighted components. Columbia's figures for these components were: grocery items 95.6; housing 88; utilities 99.9; transportation 89.8; health care 100.7; and miscellaneous goods and services 101.2. Items are priced by Chamber staff three times a year at a specified time and according to standardized specifications. It is important to note that the Index does not measure inflation or price change over time.

'Businesses are taking notice that the cost to live in Columbia consistently is below the national average,' Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Matt McCormick said. 'The numbers are an indication that Columbia remains a desirable city for not only its residents, but for businesses too. Columbia is a great city to live, learn, work and play.'

Special thanks to our Chamber members who assist staff with our pricing efforts. The Chamber receives many requests for this vital information about our community and without your help the Chamber would not be able to respond. Knowing our cost of living here in Columbia is lower than the average for the United States, we are better able to attract new residents and businesses to the area.

To learn more about the Cost of Living Index, please visit www.COLI.org. For more information about the Columbia Chamber of Commerce's involvement in the Cost of Living Index, please contact Brad Johnson at [phone] or email [e-mail].

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce was established in 1905 and is a voluntary, member-supported organization of business, industrial and professional people who are dedicated to developing, promoting and maintaining a sound and healthy economic climate for Columbia. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has been recognized as a 4-Star Accredited Chamber by the United States Chamber of Commerce.