Columbia SC vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 49.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 39.5% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 32.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $400,636 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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