Columbia SC vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 113,714 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 40.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 4.5% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 39.5% | 19.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 3.4% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 35.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 41.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.7% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Springfield
19.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 19.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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