Columbia SC vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 32.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 49.9% | 40.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 13.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $36,694 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 34.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $429,449 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 41.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Providence
34.4%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.4% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.6% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 27.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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