Columbia SC vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 49.9% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 39.5% | 1.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 45.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $575,076 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 28.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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