Columbia SC vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 115,415 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 49.9% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 39.5% | 5.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 33.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $441,257 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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