Columbia SC vs Escondido CA — 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 107,066 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 49.9% | 13.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 0.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $64,484 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $24,356 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.4% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.2% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 14.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $849,335 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 40.1% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Escondido
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Escondido
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.0% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.1% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 31.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 503 in Escondido. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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