Columbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZ
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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 26.7 min). Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $54,095). Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 142,416 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+3.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →