Columbia SC vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 71,124 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 49.9% | 32.4% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $55,269 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 33.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $327,117 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 46.0% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 41.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 49.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wilmington, DE | 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 +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 25.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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