Annexation Cost Comparison Tool Logo
  • Annexation Cost Comparison Calculator

    Find out how annexation into the City of Columbia affects 4 of your common household bills
  • The average homeowner can save over $650 a year by annexing into the City of Columbia. 

    But we know that very few households are exactly 'average'. 

    This calculator uses the information you provide to give you an estimate about how you might save by annexing into the City of Columbia. Estimates are for the 2024 Tax Year, and reflect water and sewer rates effective July 1, 2024. 

    You will get the most out of this calculator if you have copies of the following 4 bills on hand:

    • Real Estate Tax Bill
    • Vehicle Tax Bill
    • Water & Sewer Bill
    • Electric & Gas Bill (Dominion) (Mid-Carolina)

     Questions?

    View our Cost Comparison Guide or Contact Us.

  • NOTE:  This calculator has been updated to reflect the water/sewer/stormwater rates effective July 1, 2024.  Tax rates for the 2025 Tax Year will be updated once they are available.

  • THIS FIELD SHOULD REMAIN HIDDEN!!!

    ---This field provides information for the person in charge of updating this calculator---

    How to update the Tax and Fee rates each year:

    1. Taxes may update each CY, generally in late Oct or early Nov.  We may know the new City of Columbia millage on July 1 but will likely not know each of the other millage rates until the Auditor releases the new millage table
      1. To update taxes, you will need to update the following fields:
        1. To update LOST rates, update these fields:
          1. LOST (for unincorporated tax districts)
          2. LostC (for COC tax districts)
        2. To update overall millage (shown on the Auditor's table as TOTAL LEVY), you will need to edit conditions.  You can do this by selecting the field identified in the parentheses below and clicking the button with the crossed arrows "Conditions":
          1. For each unincorporated tax district (Levy)
          2. For each COC tax district (LevyC)
        3. To update school millage (shown on the Auditor's table as School Operating), you will need to edit the conditions for:
          1. Each School District, organized by each unincorporated tax district (School)
        4. Also, you should update the tax year in the first page text block that starts with "The average homeowner can save over $XXX per year..."
          1. Update the bolded tax year in the sentence that states, "Estimates are for the XXXX Tax Year"
        5. Update the tax year in the disclaimer text block (it is a widget).
    2. Fees (i.e. utility fees for water/sewer) may update each FY.  Update the following fields:
      1. Solid Waste fees are currently charged to unincorporated residences; these fees are periodically updated by County Council. (SolidWasteU Res)
      2. Water rates
        1. WBRC is the montly base water rate for in-city residential customers 
        2. WBRU is the monthly base water rate for out-of-city residential customers
        3. WVR1C is the in-city volumetric rate for monthly consumption above the usage covered by the base rate.  Currently, the base rate covers the first 300 cubic feet of water usage, and THIS volumetric rate covers the next 9,700 cubic feet of water usage.  There also different volumetric rates for usage from 10,001 cubic feet to 100,000 cubic feet, and for usage over 100,000 cubic feet, but this would be EXTREMELY atypical for a residential customer and these other rates are not included in this calculator.  The average monthly residential water usage is about 8 cubic feet (aka 8 units).
        4. WVR1U is the OUT-OF-CITY volumetric rate for monthly consumption above the usage covered by the base rate.  See additional notes for WVR1C above.
      3. Sewer rates
        1. SewBRC is the base rate for in-city residential customers
        2. SewBRU is the base water rate for out-of-city residential customers
        3. SewVRC is
        4. SewVRU is
      4. Stormwater fees
        1. StormC is the total annual stormwater fee charged to in-city residents (on the water bill) for a single family residence/duplex.  This fee is charged monthly and is considered the base for all stormwater fees for commercial and multifamily properties - "ERU", or Equivalent Residential Unit.  This fee is set by council, updated from time-to-time, and is in the City ordinance (municode)
        2. StormU is currently zero as there is no stormwater fee charged on the water bill for out-of-City customers.  Out-of-City properties do get charged a stormwater fee, but it is (currently as of 2021 tax year) charged as a line item included with their millage - so stormwater fees are not tied to how much discharge a property creates but instead the taxable value of the property.
      5. Hydrant fees
        1. HydrantU
        2. HydrantC
      6. Fire fees
        1. FireU
        2. FireC
  • This Annexation Calculator is designed for homeowners or the owners of one- and two- family dwellings, and is not designed for three or more dwellings or commercial properties.  

    While calculating the impact of annexation on commercial properties is beyond the scope of this calculator, we do want to help you with this determination.  Please contact us at:

    annexation@columbiasc.net 

    (803) 545-3217

  •  
  •  
  • To see a calculation,
    please enter your current tax district above!

    We cannot calculate your savings until you select your current tax district.

     

    You can find your tax district on your tax bill, or you can look it up using one of these links:

    • Property Value & Tax Estimate (Richland County Assessor's Office)
    • Find your Tax Bill (Richland County Treasurer's Office)
    • Mapping tools (Richland County GIS):
      • Geo Info
      • Internet Mapping
      • Tax District Map (PDF)

     

  • How am I saving money?

     

    Your Tax bill is  lower  / Higher...

    Your Water & Sewer...

  •  
  •  
  •  
  • note to me-  make the w/s matrix responsive to customer type response w only, w/s, s only, not a customer...

  •  
  •  
  •  - -
  • Thank You!

  • Was this calculator helpful?

    Do you have any questions?

    Let us know- we want your feedback!  Send us an email or call (803) 545-3217

  • Should be Empty: