Columbia SC vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Columbia
49.9%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 71,542 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 4.2% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 39.5% | 6.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.4% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $55,578 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $31,499 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 22.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.4% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Charles, MO | 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
Columbia +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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