Columbia SC vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 84,155 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 49.9% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 39.5% | 22.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 5.0% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $33,816 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 21.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Westland, MI | 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 27.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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