Columbia, SC vs Muscatine, 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
Muscatine
81.4
#43 nationally
Muscatine leads in crime level (6.7 vs 21.1). Muscatine leads in cost of living index (91 vs 100). Muscatine leads in walk score (38 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Muscatine, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 81.4 (#43) |
| Population | 142,416 | 23,341 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $196,852 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $58,474 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 17.1 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 6.7 |
| 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+14.9 |
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 →
B-
81.4 Score
Muscatine, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$196,852
Population
23,341
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Muscatine, IA →
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