Columbia SC vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 124,865 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 4.8% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 39.5% | 1.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 44.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $534,732 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 23.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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