Columbia, South Carolina

Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Columbia.

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How much does it cost to live in Columbia?

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 586.6).

Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10 · Source vintages vary — see per-metric labels below · Methodology & sources

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 · avg 586.6
Summer high: 92°FCatalog avg 87°F

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Key figures

Each metric shows how Columbia compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for 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 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Median household income: $55,653Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year29% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538
Housing cost index: 83ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year17% below U.S. avgU.S. 100
Median home value: $243,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400
Median rent: $1,158City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year14% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348
Unemployment: 4.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts
Avg commute: 22 min12% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
Walk Score: 3033% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
Violent crime rate: 775.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)32% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6
Property crime rate: 5252.3annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)70% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9
Summer high: 92°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
Winter low: 39°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
Annual rainfall: 43.7 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals32% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
Sunny days: 254As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5% below U.S. avgU.S. 268

Population trend

Columbia grew 10.7% from 130,774 in 2010 to 144,788 in 2024.

Dec 2024144,788 people+10.7% vs 2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.

Is Columbia 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?

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?

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?

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 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 586.6 and 3087.9. 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?

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

Compare Columbia to another city Find cities like Columbia

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 Data Explorer, 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 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
BLS: BLS LAUS · Richland County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00053867 COLUMBIA OWENS DWTN AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024

Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10

Canonical profile · All South Carolina cities · Full city index