Columbia SC vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 49.9% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 39.5% | 8.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $541,899 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 25.9% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 27.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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