Columbia, SC vs Iowa City, IA
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
Iowa City
73.8
#673 nationally
Iowa City leads in crime level (8.8 vs 21.1). Iowa City leads in walk score (45 vs 35). Columbia leads in cost of living index (100 vs 102).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Iowa City, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 73.8 (#673) |
| Population | 142,416 | 75,678 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $305,824 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $54,879 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 17.7 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 8.8 |
| 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+38.1 |
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
73.8 Score
Iowa City, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$305,824
Population
75,678
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
45
Midwest
View Iowa City, IA →
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