Columbia SC vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 49.9% | 36.1% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $37,669 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 34.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $233,814 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.5 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 34.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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