Columbia SC vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.9% | 49.2% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 11.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 27.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $426,069 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.5% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 67.4°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 27.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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