Columbia SC vs Columbus GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 49.9% | 39.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbus
$57,405
Columbus +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $56,622 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $32,811 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,405 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 29.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 50.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 40.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.8% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 64.4°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 49.6 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Columbus
21.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 21.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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