Columbia SC vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 49.9% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 39.5% | 18.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 40.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $427,121 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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