Columbia SC vs Lynn MA — 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 100,905 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 49.9% | 44.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $35,083 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $584,482 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynn, MA | 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
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 33.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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