Columbia SC vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 112,818 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 49.9% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 39.5% | 4.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Gresham
$35,390
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $35,390 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 23.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $472,119 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.4% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.3% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gresham, OR | 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
Columbia +
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Gresham
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 28.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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