Columbia SC vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Paterson
N/A
White
Columbia
49.9%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 49.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 39.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $527,542 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 28.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Paterson, NJ | 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
Columbia +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. 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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