Columbia SC vs Durham 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Durham
34.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 49.9% | 44.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $399,509 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Durham
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Durham
1999
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, 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%
Columbia +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 57.9°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.8 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, 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 +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.3 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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