Columbia, SC vs Ypsilanti, MI
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
Ypsilanti
69.5
#1211 nationally
Ypsilanti leads in walk score (62 vs 35). Columbia leads in average commute (17.4 min vs 22.8 min). Columbia leads in median household income ($54,095 vs $41,914).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Ypsilanti, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#670) | 69.5 (#1211) |
| Population | 142,416 | 19,393 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $230,662 | $290,686 |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $41,914 |
| Average Commute | 17.4 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 62 |
| Crime Level | 21.1 | 18.0 |
| 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 | D+44.4 |
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 →
D+
69.5 Score
Ypsilanti, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$290,686
Population
19,393
Crime
High
Walk Score
62
Midwest
View Ypsilanti, MI →