Columbia SC vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 49.9% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 39.5% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 31.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $510,577 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.2% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver 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%.
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