Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- 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
Casper
N/A
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Columbia
28.7
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Columbia
5.1%
White
Casper
N/A
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Casper
N/A
Columbia
39.5%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | 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
Casper
N/A
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Columbia
46.1%
| Metric | Casper, WY | 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 | $77,800 | $54,550 | Casper + |
| 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
Casper
$308,116
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Casper, WY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 398 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1999 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Casper +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Casper +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Casper +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Casper +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.1% | Casper + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.2% | Casper + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Casper + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.7% | Casper + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Casper +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Casper +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Casper, WY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | 66.7°F | Casper + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 46.3 in | Casper + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Columbia
18.6 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | 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, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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