Columbia, SC vs Shelby, 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
Shelby
70.8
#1062 nationally
Columbia leads in crime level (21.1 vs 28.6). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 22.4 min). Columbia leads in walk score (35 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Shelby, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 70.8 (#1062) |
| Population | 142,416 | 22,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $214,559 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $46,176 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 22.4 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 28.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 90 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+35.0 |
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-
70.8 Score
Shelby, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$214,559
Population
22,010
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Shelby, NC →