Columbia SC vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 49.9% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 39.5% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $334,719 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.8% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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