Columbia SC vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 32.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 49.9% | 44.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $37,433 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 32.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $310,519 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 45.7% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.4% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.7% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.8 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA