City0
- Public SchoolsB
- Crime & SafetyC
- HousingB-
- NightlifeA
- Good for FamiliesA-
- DiversityA
- JobsB-
- WeatherB+
- Cost of LivingB
- Health & FitnessB-
- Outdoor ActivitiesA-
- CommuteA
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$173,400
National
$184,700Median Rent
$910
National
$949Sponsored Mortgage Options for Columbia
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Columbia Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
Columbia Neighborhood Map
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
C
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Residents
Working in Columbia
Jobs
B-
Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
Median Household Income
$45,663
National
$55,322Columbia Reviews
548 reviews
All Categories
Okay place to live! It's feels small, housing prices are cheap and there is a large amount of good but unhealthy food. It is a pretty terrible city for pedestrians and cyclists, but a great city if you're looking for car accessibility. The university is a strong presence here, and SEC football reigns supreme. There are liberal enclaves, but in general it's a pretty conservative place.
Columbia, also nicknamed Cola City (short for columbia) is known for 1. Capital of SC and 2. Univeristy of SC, Gamecocks. With a lot of opportunities with schools, local urban agriculture, city life, and other major cities surrounding makes Columbia all worthwhile. There is a old saying that suggests "home is where the heart is at", and Columbia represents that in many ways due to community involvement. Many people may choose to get involved in Soda City farmers market which is held every Saturday, this is one of the examples of how expansive the opportunities are in Gamecock territory!
Columbia can be incredibly cliquey, and the suburbs are blatantly racist. We moved from Irmo to Elmwood Park and have been overall much happier.
The infrastructure here is lacking; traffic could be significantly improved were issues addressed. Driving is also dangerous, as people run red lights with impunity.
The food scene is above average. The craft-cocktail scene is somewhat lacking, but improvements to this are being made rapidly via new businesses.
The work-life balance is terrible. Old mentalities --- lack of flex time, for instance --- prevail, abusing staff and limiting recreation opportunities severely.
The infrastructure here is lacking; traffic could be significantly improved were issues addressed. Driving is also dangerous, as people run red lights with impunity.
The food scene is above average. The craft-cocktail scene is somewhat lacking, but improvements to this are being made rapidly via new businesses.
The work-life balance is terrible. Old mentalities --- lack of flex time, for instance --- prevail, abusing staff and limiting recreation opportunities severely.