Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
| Statistic | Columbia | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.7% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.9% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.9% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.6% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.9% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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