2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Champaign, IL vs Columbia, SC

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Columbia older or younger than people in Champaign?
- The Median Age in Columbia is 1.3 years older than in Champaign.

Are housing costs cheaper in Columbia or Champaign?
- Columbia housing costs are 7.2% more expensive than Champaign housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Columbia or Champaign?
- The average commute for residents of Columbia is 0.5 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Champaign.

Things to do in Champaign?
Champaign, Illinois is a thriving university town located approximately two hours south of Chicago. It has plenty of recreational facilities ranging from libraries to state parks offering access to Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve or Homer Lake.

Things to do in Columbia?
Columbia, South Carolina is the state's vibrant capital city. Nestled in the Midlands area of the state, it offers plenty of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. From its popular Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to its nearby lakes and rivers, there are plenty of outdoor activities available to explore. Inside the city limits, you can find museums, a bustling downtown area with restaurants and shops, great schools and universities, and more. With its colorful history and unique culture, Columbia is sure to offer something for everyone.

 Champaign, ILColumbia, SCUnited States
 Population  Unlock137,276329,725,481
 Median Income$52,687  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock28.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$190,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time15.68  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Champaign    13 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

Pros - close to Chicago, has Parkland community college and lots of places to eat. There is a train station downtown that is really good. Beautiful deciduous trees and  More

   |    Reply

Over 8 years ago

I wonderful city with great  More

   |    Reply

Actually it's barely a nice place to live. The pros: Not terribly expensive - at one point the least expensive place to live in the country among modest sized  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Champaign

Reviews for Columbia    50 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

I love living in Columbia! I recently graduated from USC and plan to stay. I read the reviews posted here and it shows that like many cities, your experience will depend  More

   |    Reply

Loved living in Columbia, SC prior to my job transfer. It's the perfect size - plenty to do, but still a laid back place. People are extremely friendly, there are  More

   |    Reply

Columbia is such a unique and underrated place. It has a lot of character and history, and good nature trails. Everything feels accessible (by car) and you can get from  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbia


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.