Columbia, SC vs Madison, MS
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
Madison
75.5
#449 nationally
Madison leads in crime level (1.6 vs 21.1). Columbia leads in walk score (35 vs 7). Madison leads in median household income ($124,575 vs $54,095).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Madison, MS |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 75.5 (#449) |
| Population | 142,416 | 27,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $413,721 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $124,575 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 23.9 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 7 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 1.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 111 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+17.3 |
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
75.5 Score
Madison, MS
Small Mississippi city with local appeal
Median Home
$413,721
Population
27,987
Crime
Low
Walk Score
7
Southeast
View Madison, MS →