Columbia, SC vs Monroe, LA
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
Monroe
73.4
#741 nationally
Columbia leads in crime level (21.1 vs 51.8). Columbia leads in median household income ($54,095 vs $36,550). Columbia leads in walk score (35 vs 32).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Monroe, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 73.4 (#741) |
| Population | 142,416 | 46,616 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $155,007 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $36,550 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 51.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 92 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+27.9 |
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
73.4 Score
Monroe, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$155,007
Population
46,616
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
32
Southeast
View Monroe, LA →