Columbia SC vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
32.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 32.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 49.9% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 39.5% | 17.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $33,953 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,052 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 40.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $309,801 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 21.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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