Columbia, SC
Full City Profile · South Carolina · Richland County County
3.2
/5.0
B
Good
138,019
Population
997/sq mi density
$55,653
Median Income
$38,087 per capita
$243,500
Home Value
$230,191 Zillow
$1,158
Median Rent
34.5% income on rent
66°F
Avg Temperature
770
Violent Crime/100K
3,265 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$55,653 median income, 7.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$243,500 home value, $1,158/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
770 violent crimes/100K (103% above avg)
A+
Education
4.7 / 5.0
46.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Income Overview
Median Household Income
$55,653
26% below
US avg: $75,149
Per Capita Income
$38,087
2% below
US avg: $39,052
Unemployment Rate
7.6%
111% above
US avg: 3.6%
Poverty Rate
15.0%
21% above
US avg: 12.4%
Income Comparison: Columbia vs. U.S. Average
Each bar shows Columbia’s value as a percentage of the national average (100% line = U.S. avg)
Median Household
US: $75,149
$55,653
74%
Per Capita
US: $39,052
$38,087
98%
IRS Avg AGI
US: $72,000
$71,517
99%
Avg Weekly Wage
US: $1,432
$1,207
84%
Thin line = U.S. average (100%)
Employment & Commute
Avg Weekly Wage
$1,207
16% below US avg ($1,432)
Mean Commute Time
17 min
37% below US avg (28 min)
Work From Home
9.8%
36% below US avg (15.2%)
Drive Alone
62.9%
14% below US avg (73.2%)
Public Transit
1.4%
72% below US avg (5.0%)
County GDP
$37,438M
County-level GDP (BEA 2024)
How Residents Get to Work
Drive Alone
62.9%
Public Transit
1.4%
Work From Home
9.8%
Other
25.9%
Average commute time
17 minutes
US avg: 28 min
Business Landscape
Total Establishments
12,736
Restaurants
920
Healthcare
1,116
Retail
1,228
Manufacturing
192
Tax & Financial
IRS Avg Adjusted Gross Income
$71,517
1% below US avg ($72,000)
Avg Property Tax
$3,719
6% above US avg ($3,500)
Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below national average (100 = US avg)
Complete Economy Data
Income & Wages
| Median Household Income | $55,653 |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 |
| IRS Avg Adjusted Gross Income | $71,517 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,207 |
| County GDP | $37,438M |
Hardship Indicators
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% |
| Gini Coefficient | 0.490 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93.7 |
Commute
| Mean Commute | 17 minutes |
| Drive Alone | 62.9% |
| Public Transit | 1.4% |
| Work From Home | 9.8% |
Businesses
| Total Establishments | 12,736 |
| Restaurants | 920 |
| Healthcare | 1,116 |
| Retail | 1,228 |
| Manufacturing | 192 |
Tax
| IRS Avg AGI | $71,517 |
| Avg Property Tax | $3,719 |