Columbia SC vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 31.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 49.9% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 39.5% | 27.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $45,845 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $27,570 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 29.6% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 30.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 41.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 41.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.7% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.8% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 19.3 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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