Columbia SC vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 49.9% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 39.5% | 23.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $52,606 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 33.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $264,957 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Louisville, 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 +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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