Columbia SC vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Eugene
35.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 177,520 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 6.8% | Eugene + |
| White | 49.9% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 39.5% | 1.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Eugene
44.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 44.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $478,489 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 47.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.9% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 52.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.1 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Eugene
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Eugene
19.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 19.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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