Allen TX vs Columbia SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 5.1% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 49.9% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.7% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 5.7% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Columbia
46.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $55,653 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $38,087 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.6% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 23.3% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 46.1% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 47.3% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 34.4% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.1% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 19.2% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.2% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.7% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 66.7°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 46.3 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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