Columbia SC vs Dayton OH — 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 136,741 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 5.0% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 39.5% | 38.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.5% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $43,454 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $26,381 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,300 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 9.7% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 27.1% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 20.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 42.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 21.6% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 20.5% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 54.1°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Dayton
22.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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