Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
28.7
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
5.1%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
39.5%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 138,019 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 28.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 39.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Ann Arbor +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
46.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,653 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $38,087 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $54,550 | Ann Arbor + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 46.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 34.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 13.2% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.0% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 66.7°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Columbia
18.6 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 471 in Ann Arbor. Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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