Columbia SC vs Fayetteville 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%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Fayetteville
30.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 30.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 49.9% | 38.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $31,467 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 28.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 46.5% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Fayetteville
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Fayetteville
1999
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, 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 +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 40.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, 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 +
Fayetteville
20.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, 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