Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 138,019 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 5.1% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 49.9% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.2% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.7% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 5.7% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Columbia
46.1%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $55,653 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $38,087 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 7.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 23.3% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 46.1% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 47.3% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 34.4% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.1% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 19.2% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.2% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.7% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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