Columbia SC vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 49.9% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 39.5% | 22.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 4.2% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $240,538 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 47.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA