Columbia SC vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Odessa
31.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 114,080 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 31.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 49.9% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 39.5% | 6.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $35,655 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $253,423 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 25.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.1% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 65.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 23.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, 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 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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