Columbia SC vs Henderson NV — 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%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Henderson
14.1%
Henderson +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Henderson
6.2%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Henderson
9.5%
Henderson +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Henderson
18.3%
Henderson +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 324,523 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 42.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 14.1% | Henderson + |
| White | 49.9% | 64.7% | Henderson + |
| Black | 39.5% | 6.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 9.5% | Henderson + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 18.3% | Henderson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Henderson
$88,654
Henderson +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Henderson
$49,141
Henderson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Henderson
$62,696
Henderson +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Henderson
6.7%
Henderson +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Henderson
36.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $88,654 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $49,141 | Henderson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,696 | Henderson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.7% | Henderson + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 36.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Henderson
$487,098
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $487,098 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Henderson
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Henderson
10.9%
Henderson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Henderson
17.5%
Henderson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Henderson
10.3%
Henderson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.9% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Henderson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.5% | Henderson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.3% | Henderson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Henderson, NV | 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
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Henderson
26.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 26.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Henderson leads in median household income at $88,654, 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 460 in Henderson. Henderson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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