Columbia, SC vs Hammond, IN
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
Hammond
76.8
#311 nationally
Hammond leads in walk score (52 vs 35). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 24.6 min). Hammond leads in cost of living index (87 vs 100).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Hammond, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 76.8 (#311) |
| Population | 142,416 | 76,193 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $178,835 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $52,368 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 20.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | D+5.6 |
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 →
C
76.8 Score
Hammond, IN
Indiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$178,835
Population
76,193
Crime
High
Walk Score
52
Midwest
View Hammond, IN →