Columbia SC vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 49.9% | 31.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $55,339 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $55,297 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.8% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 41.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $245,988 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.4% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.5% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 66.6 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.6 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, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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