Columbia SC vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Sparks
N/A
White
Columbia
49.9%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 49.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 39.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $530,668 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.8% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.7% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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