Columbia SC vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 135,806 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.9% | 49.1% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 19.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $708,498 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 53.2 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 30.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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