Columbia SC vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 86,973 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 49.9% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 39.5% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $33,579 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 25.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $509,396 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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