Columbia, SC vs Ruston, 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
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Ruston leads in crime level (11.7 vs 21.1). Columbia leads in median household income ($54,095 vs $32,877). Columbia leads in walk score (35 vs 25).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 142,416 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+25.4 |
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-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →