Columbia, SC vs Lakeway, 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
Lakeway
68.2
#1332 nationally
Lakeway leads in crime level (2.1 vs 21.1). Lakeway leads in median household income ($154,118 vs $54,095). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 27.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lakeway, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 68.2 (#1332) |
| Population | 142,416 | 19,189 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $747,050 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $154,118 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 2.1 |
| 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+39.3 |
Data coverage note: Lakeway is missing data for 1 metric that Columbia has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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 →
D+
68.2 Score
Lakeway, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$747,050
Population
19,189
Crime
Low
Median Income
$154,118
Southwest
View Lakeway, TX →