Columbia SC vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 39.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 49.9% | 34.2% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 13.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 35.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $580,996 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 30.7% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 27.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 75.8°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 64.1 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 29.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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