Columbia, SC vs Waco, TX
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
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in crime level (11.7 vs 21.1). Columbia leads in median household income ($54,095 vs $47,421). Waco leads in cost of living index (93 vs 100).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 142,416 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+33.5 | R+30.9 |
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 →
C+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →