Columbia, South Carolina
Among the top 9% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 20% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 58% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 37% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 91% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 55% of US places
- top 6% for commute time
- top 8% for park & nature access
- bottom 8% for property crime
Columbia is a city in South Carolina with about 137,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include commute time, park & nature access, and walkability. It rates lower on summer humidity and property crime.
Official websitecolumbiasc.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Hot, humid summers · Cool winters · Moderate rain
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comf.
warm
hot
warm
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69%60%clearovercast
Precipitation 5.3 in3.5 in
muggy 85%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$54k35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$50kbetter than 32% of US places
Home Value$226k66th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 33% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 39% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.69%better than 73% of US places
Income Tax6.40%better than 26% of US places
Sales Tax7.50%better than 45% of US places
Estimated total tax burden11.74%better than 30% of US places
Unemployment7.9%better than 21% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)47°F83rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)83°F90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation48.7 in74th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall0.2 inbetter than 85% of US places
Sunny Days234 daysbetter than 52% of US places
Summer Humidity70°Fbetter than 13% of US places
Comfortable Days82 daysbetter than 50% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk55.4better than 64% of US places
Air Quality42 AQIbetter than 69% of US places
School Quality66.9better than 62% of US places
Violent Crime1365/100kbetter than 21% of US places
Property Crime2858/100kbetter than 8% of US places
Community
Population136,75499th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age28.36th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5892nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9953rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+396th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)47.9%17th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)40.2%95th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)5.2%58th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)2.3%82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.5%67th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time17 minbetter than 94% of US places
Walkability11.1/20better than 90% of US places
Airport Distance81 mibetter than 48% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.9%better than 52% of US places
Amenities Nearby12.21better than 16% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 92% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Columbia an affordable place to live?
- Columbia is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $50k, better than 32% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Columbia?
- The median home value in Columbia is $226k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Columbia?
- Median household income in Columbia is $54k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Columbia?
- Median gross rent in Columbia is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Columbia safe?
- Columbia is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1365/100k (better than 21%). Property crime is 2858/100k.
- What is the weather like in Columbia?
- Columbia averages 83°F in July and 47°F in January, with 48.7 in of annual precipitation and about 234 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Columbia?
- Public-school quality in Columbia is above average, scoring better than 62% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Columbia?
- The average one-way commute in Columbia is 17 min.
Places near Columbia
Compare Columbia
Explore South Carolina
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)