Columbia, SC vs Rutherford, NJ
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
Rutherford
70.7
#1075 nationally
Rutherford leads in crime level (1.6 vs 21.1). Rutherford leads in median household income ($128,576 vs $54,095). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 33.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rutherford, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 70.7 (#1075) |
| Population | 142,416 | 18,852 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $767,911 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $128,576 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 1.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 146 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | D+3.4 |
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-
70.7 Score
Rutherford, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$767,911
Population
18,852
Crime
Low
Walk Score
67
Northeast
View Rutherford, NJ →