Columbia SC vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 49.9% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 39.5% | 27.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $435,807 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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