Columbia SC vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Lubbock
30.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 30.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| White | 49.9% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 39.5% | 8.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $34,629 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 34.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Lubbock
13.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 18.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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