Columbia SC vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 115,396 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 49.9% | 21.4% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 17.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 32.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $608,357 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 37.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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