Columbia SC vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 49.9% | 39.1% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $580,173 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 41.1% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Washington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Washington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 24.0% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC | 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
Columbia +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 32.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA