Columbia SC vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 49.9% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 39.5% | 7.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 32.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $411,323 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 72.1°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 27.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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