Columbia SC vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 119,508 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 40.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 49.9% | 44.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 31.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.5% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 37.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $399,650 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.7% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 75.4°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 62.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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