Columbia SC vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 49.9% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 39.5% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $487,466 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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