Columbia SC vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 49.9% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 39.5% | 28.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $36,194 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 34.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $232,133 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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