Columbia SC vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 49.9% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 39.5% | 10.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 33.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $496,966 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 31.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA