Columbia SC vs Fort Wayne 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%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 49.9% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 39.5% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $32,884 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 28.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $245,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Fort Wayne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 40.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.8% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Wayne, 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 +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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