Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 138,019 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 5.1% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 28.4% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.7% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 5.7% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $55,653 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $38,087 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $54,550 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.3% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 34.4% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.1% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 66.7°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 46.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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