Columbia, SC vs Sandy, UT
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
Sandy
70.7
#1076 nationally
Sandy leads in crime level (2.9 vs 21.1). Sandy leads in median household income ($108,165 vs $54,095). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 23.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Sandy, UT |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 70.7 (#1076) |
| Population | 142,416 | 91,943 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $667,692 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $108,165 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 2.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 129 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | D+10.2 |
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-
70.7 Score
Sandy, UT
Utah community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$667,692
Population
91,943
Crime
Low
Walk Score
35
West
View Sandy, UT →