Columbia SC vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 49.9% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 39.5% | 21.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 44.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $376,530 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 73.4°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 26.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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