Columbia SC vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
New Haven
31.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 132,893 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 31.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 49.9% | 36.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 30.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $53,771 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $34,482 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.7% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 25.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 37.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $330,564 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 28.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.1 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 23.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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