Columbia SC vs Davie FL — 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%
Davie, FL
Florida · Population: 106,412
- Median HH Income$87,171
- Median Home Price$515,987
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+39.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Davie
106,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Davie
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Davie
37.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Davie
32.9%
Davie +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Davie
53.5%
Davie +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Davie
8.5%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Davie
7.0%
Davie +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Davie
41.1%
Davie +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Davie
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 106,412 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 32.9% | Davie + |
| White | 49.9% | 53.5% | Davie + |
| Black | 39.5% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.0% | Davie + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 41.1% | Davie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Davie
$87,171
Davie +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Davie
$43,871
Davie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Davie
$65,328
Davie +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Davie
4.4%
Davie +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Davie
10.9%
Davie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Davie
39.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $87,171 | Davie + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $43,871 | Davie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Davie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Davie + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 10.9% | Davie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 39.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Davie
$515,987
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Davie
66.6%
Davie +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $515,987 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 66.6% | Davie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Davie
324
Davie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Davie
1453
Davie +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Davie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Davie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Davie
28.0%
Davie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Davie
11.1%
Davie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Davie
16.1%
Davie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Davie
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Davie
15.9%
Davie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Davie
11.1%
Davie +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.0% | Davie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.1% | Davie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.1% | Davie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.9% | Davie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.1% | Davie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Davie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Davie
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Davie
7.2 µg/m³
Davie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Davie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Davie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Davie
30.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 30.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davie leads in median household income at $87,171, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Davie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Davie has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Davie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Davie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.0%.
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