Columbia SC vs Glendale AZ — 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%
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Glendale
35.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Glendale
9.6%
Glendale +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Glendale
3.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 271,118 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.6% | Glendale + |
| White | 49.9% | 72.7% | Glendale + |
| Black | 39.5% | 3.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.6% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Glendale
$59,120
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $121,351 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $49,825 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.3% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 5.1% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 47.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Glendale
$408,630
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $408,630 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 73.9% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Glendale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Glendale
2150
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Glendale
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Glendale
13.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 32.9% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.7% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Glendale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Glendale
28.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 28.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, 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 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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