Columbia SC vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 49.9% | 16.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $48,416 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $25,509 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 10.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 24.7% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 17.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $482,675 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 24.1% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 23.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Newark
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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