Columbia SC vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 49.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 39.5% | 5.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $538,687 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Portland
17.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 78.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 26.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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