Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 138,019 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 5.1% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 2.5% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 2.7% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 5.7% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $55,653 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.6% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 23.3% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 34.4% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.2% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.7% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.0% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 66.7°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 46.3 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, 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 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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