Columbia SC vs Concord NC — 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%
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Concord
106,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Concord
36.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Concord
54.7%
Concord +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Concord
22.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 106,518 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 12.5% | Concord + |
| White | 49.9% | 54.7% | Concord + |
| Black | 39.5% | 22.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.7% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 15.8% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Concord
41.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $84,752 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $40,763 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.8% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 8.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 41.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Concord
$384,688
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $384,688 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 66.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Concord
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Concord
1999
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.5% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.5% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Concord
45.9 in
Concord +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 60.4°F | Concord + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.9 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Concord
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Concord
29.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 29.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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