Columbia, SC vs Garland, TX
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
Garland
73.2
#772 nationally
Garland leads in crime level (6.4 vs 21.1). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 29.7 min). Garland leads in median household income ($71,044 vs $54,095).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Garland, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 73.2 (#772) |
| Population | 142,416 | 243,470 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $287,246 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $71,044 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 6.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | D+22.2 |
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
73.2 Score
Garland, TX
Growing Texas city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$287,246
Population
243,470
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Southwest
View Garland, TX →