Columbia SC vs Garland TX — 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 49.9% | 37.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 15.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $31,477 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 25.0% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Garland
$289,605
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $289,605 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 22.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 69.1°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 49.5 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 32.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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%.
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