Columbia, SC vs Durham, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Columbia
73.8
#670 nationally
Durham
69.4
#1213 nationally
Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 22.8 min). Durham leads in median household income ($67,432 vs $54,095). Columbia leads in walk score (35 vs 33).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 69.4 (#1213) |
| Population | 142,416 | 283,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $395,976 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $67,432 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | D+61.9 |
C
73.8 Score
Columbia, SC
Mid-size South Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$230,662
Population
142,416
Crime
High
Walk Score
35
Southeast
View Columbia, SC →
D+
69.4 Score
Durham, NC
Bull City innovation and inclusion
Median Home
$395,976
Population
283,506
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Durham, NC →