Columbia, SC vs Mobile, AL
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
Mobile
73.7
#689 nationally
Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 22.8 min). Columbia leads in median household income ($54,095 vs $48,524). Mobile leads in cost of living index (91 vs 100).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 73.7 (#689) |
| Population | 142,416 | 182,595 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $199,226 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $48,524 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 20.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 91 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+16.4 |
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
73.7 Score
Mobile, AL
Mid-size Alabama city with community character
Median Home
$199,226
Population
182,595
Crime
High
Walk Score
32
Southeast
View Mobile, AL →