Columbia SC vs Glendale CA — 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, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 192,270 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 41.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 49.9% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 39.5% | 1.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Glendale
45.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 45.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $1,205,826 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 35.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Glendale
64.1°F
Glendale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 64.1°F | Glendale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 30.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 503 in Glendale. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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