Columbia SC vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Tempe
29.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 29.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 49.9% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 39.5% | 7.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $468,328 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 41.6% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 71.3°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 23.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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