Columbia SC vs Evansville IN — 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%
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Evansville
116,441
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Evansville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Evansville
38.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Evansville
3.9%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Evansville
13.5%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Evansville
1.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Evansville
4.0%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Evansville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 116,441 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 77.1% | Evansville + |
| Black | 39.5% | 13.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.0% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Evansville
$52,251
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Evansville
$31,236
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Evansville
22.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $52,251 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $31,236 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,697 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.6% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 22.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $200,657 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 53.9% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Evansville
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Evansville
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Evansville
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Evansville
18.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 40.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.7% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.8% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Evansville
46.8 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 60.1°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.8 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Evansville
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Evansville
20.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA