Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Columbia
39.5%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 138,019 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.1% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 46.8% | 39.5% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 5.7% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $55,653 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $54,550 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Columbia
$229,993
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $229,993 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Columbia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.2% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.7% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 66.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 46.3 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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