Columbia SC vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 49.9% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 39.5% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $37,269 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 31.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $286,396 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.8% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 70.2°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.0 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 26.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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