Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina Overview

Columbia scores 46.0/100 overall (C), ranking #12 of 20 cities in South Carolina — above the state composite of 44.0. Affordability is the city’s relative strength at 79/100, while Outdoor Access lags at 9/100.

Income & Employment in Columbia

The median household income in Columbia is $52,943, 15% below the statewide median of $62,064. The local unemployment rate of 4.6% is higher than the state’s 3.5%. Population grew 1.8% recently.

Safety in Columbia

With a violent crime rate of 767.5 per 100,000, Columbia exceeds the South Carolina average of 492. Safety is a factor prospective residents should weigh carefully. The property crime rate is 3501.8 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Columbia

Columbia has a cost of living index of 92.9 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $243,500. Median monthly rent is $1,158.

Health & Wellness in Columbia

The adult obesity rate in Columbia is 34.4% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 12.1%. Residents report an average of 19.2 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. South Carolina ranks #39 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Columbia

Columbia has a high school graduation rate of 80.2%. The student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Local districts invest $17,096 per student, well above the national median. The city has 69 public schools serving 47,371 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Columbia

Columbia enjoys a moderate climate with an annual average of 64.8°F. Summers average 79.3°F. Winters average 52.2°F. Annual precipitation is 48.5 inches. The average commute of 15.9 minutes is notably short.

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