Columbia, SC vs Montgomery, IL
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
Montgomery
75
#518 nationally
Montgomery leads in crime level (3.2 vs 21.1). Columbia leads in walk score (35 vs 15). Montgomery leads in median household income ($105,240 vs $54,095).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Montgomery, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 75 (#518) |
| Population | 142,416 | 21,955 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $336,140 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $105,240 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 33.7 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 15 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 3.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 109 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | D+1.5 |
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
75 Score
Montgomery, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$336,140
Population
21,955
Crime
Low
Walk Score
15
Midwest
View Montgomery, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Columbia for: