Columbia SC vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 49.9% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 39.5% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $35,825 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 34.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $435,532 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 42.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.9% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.5% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.1 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 27.3 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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