Columbia SC vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 98,677 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 49.9% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 39.5% | 29.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $52,671 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $34,792 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 28.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $279,668 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 41.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.7% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 21.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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