Columbia, SC vs Salisbury, NC
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
Salisbury
66.6
#1526 nationally
Columbia leads in walk score (35 vs 27). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 21.8 min). Columbia leads in crime level (21.1 vs 26.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Salisbury, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 66.6 (#1526) |
| Population | 142,416 | 36,319 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $284,346 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $48,888 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 21.8 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 27 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 26.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+35.9 |
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 →
D
66.6 Score
Salisbury, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$284,346
Population
36,319
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
27
Southeast
View Salisbury, NC →
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