Columbia SC vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 115,263 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 49.9% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 32.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $34,492 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 33.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $251,699 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
High Point
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
High Point
1999
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.1 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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%.
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