Columbia SC vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 49.9% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 39.5% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $580,126 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 46.8% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 21.3 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA