Columbia SC vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 186,178 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 39.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.9% | 43.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 11.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
North Las Vegas
$58,874
North Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $58,874 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $35,069 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 9.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 23.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $407,146 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 41.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Columbia, SC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.7% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 19.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 68.8°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Las Vegas leads in median household income at $58,874, 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 460 in North Las Vegas. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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