Columbia, SC vs Helena, MT
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
Helena
69.1
#1251 nationally
Helena leads in crime level (14.1 vs 21.1). Helena leads in walk score (49 vs 35). Helena leads in average commute (13.4 min vs 17.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Helena, MT |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 69.1 (#1251) |
| Population | 142,416 | 34,464 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $484,550 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $64,798 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 13.4 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 49 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 14.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 110 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+5.7 |
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+
69.1 Score
Helena, MT
Small Montana city with local appeal
Median Home
$484,550
Population
34,464
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
49
West
View Helena, MT →