Columbia SC vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 92,577 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 40.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 49.9% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 39.5% | 11.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Roswell
$57,405
Roswell +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,405 | Roswell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $662,209 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roswell, GA | 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
Columbia +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 29.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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