Columbia, SC, known as 'The Capital of Southern Hospitality,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Richland County, Columbia is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Charleston (114 miles) and Augusta (75 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Columbia's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Columbia is home to several iconic landmarks, including the South Carolina State House, the historic Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, and the scenic Congaree National Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Finlay Park to the bustling Columbiana Centre, known for its shopping and dining. Columbia's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the South Carolina State Fair and the Columbia International Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Columbia's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of South Carolina contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Columbia is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Columbia Museum of Art and the Koger Center for the Arts are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Columbia provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Columbia’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Columbia Fireflies (MiLB) and the South Carolina Gamecocks (NCAA), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Columbia include healthcare, education, and government, with significant employers such as Palmetto Health and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making it easy to get around.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
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.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Located in the state of South Carolina, Columbia is a medium-sized city with a population of 134,057 residents. Columbia is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (53%) and Black or African American (40%). The median age of all Columbia residents is 28, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. In Columbia, only 34% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Columbia will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 16 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Columbia, South Carolina. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, commute, health & safety, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Columbia and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Columbia to South Carolina and the national average.
Columbia has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #14 in South Carolina and #2,526 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Columbia could be a great choice! Columbia has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Columbia ranks very well for cost of living (B) and housing (B). There is at least one category that did not score well in Columbia. The following was graded with a discouraging score: crime (F) and employment (D-).
Living in Columbia offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Columbia provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, South Carolina State Museum, and EdVenture.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Columbia can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Columbia meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Columbia. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Columbia are simply unattainable. The median home price for Columbia homes is $186,000, which is 29.5% higher than the South Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Columbia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 25.8% higher than the South Carolina average.
| Statistic | Columbia | South Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 16min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 63.4% | 82.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.8% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.7% | 0.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 22.0% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.9% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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