Columbia SC vs Davenport IA — 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Davenport
101,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Davenport
37.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Davenport
4.6%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Davenport
11.2%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Davenport
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 101,083 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 4.6% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 75.9% | Davenport + |
| Black | 39.5% | 11.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.1% | Davenport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Davenport
$36,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Davenport
30.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $64,497 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $36,583 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,226 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.8% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.6% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 30.0% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $191,117 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 63.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Davenport
21.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Davenport
16.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 42.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.2% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 21.1% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 49.3°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 36.0 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Davenport
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Davenport
20.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA