Columbia SC vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 68,505 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 49.9% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 39.5% | 9.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $561,069 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 46.7% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 21.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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