Columbia SC vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 84,389 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 49.9% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 39.5% | 2.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $35,662 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 27.0% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $657,911 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 23.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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