Columbia, SC vs New Orleans, LA
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
New Orleans
76.2
#375 nationally
New Orleans leads in crime level (9.9 vs 21.1). New Orleans leads in walk score (58 vs 35). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 23.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 76.2 (#375) |
| Population | 142,416 | 364,136 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $245,144 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $51,116 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 58 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 9.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+12.9 |
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 →
C
76.2 Score
New Orleans, LA
Growing Louisiana city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$245,144
Population
364,136
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
58
Southeast
View New Orleans, LA →