Columbia SC vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 39.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 49.9% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 39.5% | 9.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $507,575 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 27.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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