Columbia SC vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 42.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 49.9% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 39.5% | 28.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 39.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $510,297 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 75.5°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 66.5 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 28.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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