Columbia SC vs Irvine CA — 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 49.9% | 38.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 2.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $1,566,872 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 43.8% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Irvine
65.3°F
Irvine +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 65.3°F | Irvine + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 26.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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