Columbia SC vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 49.9% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 39.5% | 13.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $37,109 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 34.0% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 38.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 23.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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