Columbia SC vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 49.9% | 35.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 21.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $29,766 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 20.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $466,147 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lancaster, 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%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.3% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 33.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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