Columbia SC vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 44,998 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 57.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 49.9% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 39.5% | 5.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Palmdale
45.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 45.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $503,393 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Palmdale
63.5°F
Palmdale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 63.5°F | Palmdale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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