Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 138,019 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 5.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| White | 68.4% | 49.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 5.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $55,653 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $38,087 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $54,550 | Broken Arrow + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 23.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 47.3% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 34.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, 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 429 in Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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