Columbia, South Carolina
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Columbia, SC.
This profile is Columbia, SC. Looking for Columbia, MO?
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How much does it cost to live in Columbia, SC?
For relocators asking how much Columbia costs: the housing index sits at 83 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $243,500 and rents near $1,158. Local median income is about $55,653 and unemployment recently ran 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 22 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 775.1 per 100k (catalog avg 559.5).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 83U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $243,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,158U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $55,653U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 22 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 775.1per 100k · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 92°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Columbia compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 144,788City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $55,653Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year29% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 83ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year17% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $243,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,158City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year14% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026Near U.S. rate (4.2%)U.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 22 min12% below catalog avgCatalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3033% below catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 775.1per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)39% above catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 5252.3per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)75% above catalog avgCatalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 92°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0 pts above catalog avgCatalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 39°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0 pts above catalog avgCatalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 43.7 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals32% above catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 254As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5% below catalog avgCatalog avg 268
Population trend
Columbia grew 10.7% from 130,774 in 2010 to 144,788 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Columbia, SC expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Columbia's housing cost index is 83 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($243,500 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,158 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 83 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $243,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,158 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Columbia, SC?
Typical ownership costs center near $243,500, while median gross rent is about $1,158 a month. Against a median household income of $55,653, rent alone is roughly 25% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $243,500
- Median rent $1,158/month
- Median household income $55,653
What is the job market like in Columbia, SC?
County unemployment recently ran 4.3% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Columbia is about $55,653 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $55,653
How long is the typical commute in Columbia, SC?
Average one-way commute time is about 22 minutes, with Walk Score near 30/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 22 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 30/100
Is Columbia, SC safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 775.1 per 100k and property about 5252.3 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 559.5 and 3005.3. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 775.1 per 100k
- Property 5252.3 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Columbia, SC?
Normals show summer highs near 92°F, winter lows near 39°F, about 43.7 inches of rain, and roughly 254 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 92°F
- Winter low 39°F
- 43.7 in rain · 254 sunny days
Columbia, South Carolina counts about 144,788 residents inside the city limits. Households here report a median income near $55,653; our housing-derived cost index is about 83 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). A typical home near $243,500 and rents around $1,158 frame most shortlists.
Lowcountry humidity and inland Piedmont growth corridors both pull movers. Pack for 92°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 39°F. Commutes average near 22 minutes one-way, with walkability near 30/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.3% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 775.1 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Columbia is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI crime figures, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Columbia with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Columbia city, 1600000US4516000) — As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Richland County, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00053867 COLUMBIA OWENS DWTN AP) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19
Canonical profile · All South Carolina cities · Full city index