Columbia SC vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 49.9% | 45.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.1% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $55,279 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 40.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 45.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Louis, 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. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.9% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.8% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Louis, 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
Columbia +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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