Columbia SC vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 49.9% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 39.5% | 14.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $52,606 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $332,727 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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