Columbia SC vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 49.9% | 25.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $51,211 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $32,314 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.3% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 28.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 46.0% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 42.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.7% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 19.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 54.9 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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