Columbia SC vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 102,558 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 49.9% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 39.5% | 12.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $31,987 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 25.0% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wichita Falls, 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 +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.8% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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