Columbia SC vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
San Bernardino
31.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 31.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 49.9% | 27.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 11.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $23,980 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 12.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
San Bernardino
48.5%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $492,059 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 48.5% | San Bernardino + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | San Bernardino, 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%
Columbia +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 20.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | San Bernardino, CA | 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 30.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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