Columbia SC vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 112,546 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 49.9% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 39.5% | 23.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $52,170 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $29,894 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 29.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.6% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.8% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Lansing
21.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 21.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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