Columbia SC vs Livonia 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Livonia
8.2%
Livonia +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 94,058 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 45.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 8.2% | Livonia + |
| White | 49.9% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 4.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.5% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Livonia
$58,052
Livonia +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Livonia
40.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,052 | Livonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 40.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Livonia
$314,705
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $314,705 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Livonia
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Livonia
16.8%
Livonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.8% | Livonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Livonia
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Livonia, 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 +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, 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 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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