Columbia SC vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 49.9% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 39.5% | 21.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $45,611 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $30,282 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 28.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $299,633 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 38.5% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 21.3% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.8% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 68.9°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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