Columbia SC vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 49.9% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 39.5% | 3.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 35.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $570,934 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.9% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.3 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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