Columbia SC vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Waco
29.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 49.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 39.5% | 20.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $51,468 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $28,819 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 24.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 28.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.4% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 20.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 19.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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