Columbia SC vs McKinney 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
McKinney
33.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 49.9% | 37.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 24.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $29,291 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 18.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $487,346 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | McKinney, 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%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
McKinney
64.2°F
McKinney +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 64.2°F | McKinney + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | McKinney, 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
Columbia +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 35.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, 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 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA