Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 138,019 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 5.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 49.9% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.7% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 5.7% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Columbia
46.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $55,653 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $38,087 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.6% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 23.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 46.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.4% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.2% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 66.7°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 46.3 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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