Columbia SC vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 49.9% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 39.5% | 35.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $35,704 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $293,664 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.3% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 67.6°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 58.1 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.3 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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