Columbia SC vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 32.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 49.9% | 36.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 38.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $51,888 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $29,679 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 26.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 41.5% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 41.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.7% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.1% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.3% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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