Columbia SC vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 49.9% | 27.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.8% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $32,068 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $51,690 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 33.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 46.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.7% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.3% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 64.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 52.8 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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