Living in Columbia, South Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia has 139,643 residents with a median age of 28.6. The median household income is $55,529 (20% lower than the South Carolina median), the median home value is $264,300, the median rent is $1,204/month.
Columbia at a glance
- Population
- 139,643
- Median age
- 28.6State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $55,529State: $69,324
- Median home value
- $264,300State: $259,000
- Median rent
- $1,204/moState: $1,180
- Homeowners
- 45.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 45.9%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Columbia a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the South Carolina median; home values about the same as the state median; unemployment of 7.5%; a poverty rate of 24%.
The weather is best in April–May and October–November.
Cost of living in Columbia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia the median home value is $264,300, 21% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,204 per month, which is 36% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,621 a month in housing costs.
Columbia median household income
The median household income in Columbia is $55,529 and the income per person is $39,058. 24% of residents live below the poverty line (South Carolina: 14.1%).
Housing in Columbia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 62,021
- Owner-occupied
- 45.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 54.5%
- Vacant
- 14.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 2.16
Columbia demographics
- Population
- 139,643
- Median age
- 28.6
- Under 18
- 17%
- 65 and older
- 11.5%
- Households
- 53,076
- Foreign-born
- 5.8%
- Veterans
- 7.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia ›
Education in Columbia
45.9% of adults 25 and older in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Carolina: 32.1%), and 21.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia
- Unemployment rate
- 7.5%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 11.6%
- Drive alone
- 63%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 14.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.5%
Columbia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 139,643 | $55,529 | $264,300 | $1,204 |
| Woodfield | 9,465 | $45,526 | $150,800 | $1,169 |
| Arcadia Lakes | 901 | $103,250 | $351,000 | — |
| Dentsville | 15,209 | $45,473 | $163,700 | $1,250 |
| Forest Acres | 10,530 | $78,306 | $279,300 | $1,263 |
| Capitol View | 4,374 | $46,645 | $187,600 | $1,181 |
| Arthurtown | 3,272 | $21,046 | $120,100 | $830 |
| Olympia | 935 | $29,663 | — | — |
| Hopkins | 1,985 | $50,063 | $99,300 | $799 |
More for people moving to Columbia
Columbia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia, SC?
The median household income in Columbia is $55,529, 20% lower than the South Carolina median of $69,324 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $264,300, compared with $259,000 in South Carolina.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $1,204 per month, about 36% of household income.
Is Columbia, SC a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the South Carolina median; home values about the same as the state median; unemployment of 7.5%; a poverty rate of 24%.
What is the median age in Columbia?
The median age in Columbia is 28.6 years (South Carolina: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Columbia?
The average commute to work in Columbia is 18 minutes; 11.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia?
The unemployment rate in Columbia is 7.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia?
45.9% of adults in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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