2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Charleston, SC vs Columbia, SC

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Highlights
Are people in Columbia older or younger than people in Charleston?
- The Median Age in Columbia is 7.3 years younger than in Charleston.

Are housing costs cheaper in Columbia or Charleston?
- Columbia housing costs are 58.6% less expensive than Charleston housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Columbia or Charleston?
- The average commute for residents of Columbia is 6.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Charleston.

Things to do in Charleston?
Charleston, South Carolina is a vibrant and beautiful city located in the southeastern United States. Here locals and visitors alike can enjoy the city’s unique culture, architecture, food, beaches and historical sites. The city offers plenty of activities from taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of historic downtown to exploring one of the many museums or visiting some of the area’s popular attractions like Fort Sumter or Patriots Point. With its excellent schools, thriving businesses and plenty of recreational opportunities it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Charleston their home. There are also numerous dining options, shopping centers and entertainment venues available for those looking for some fun!

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.

 Charleston, SCColumbia, SCUnited States
 Population  Unlock137,276329,725,481
 Median Income$76,556  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock28.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$493,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.11  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Charleston    76 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

Charleston is beautiful and unique and incredibly special. If you don't believe me, just ask Anthony Bourdain in his Parts Unknown episode - and he was an insightful  More

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Serious lack of health care and "good old boys club" whereby doctors will not even see the patient but diagnose them based on referring doctor. My sister died there for  More

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Over 5 years ago

Boy, has this once beautiful town changed...for the worse! I initially moved here 20 years ago because the people were so nice, no traffic, great choice of hospitals,  More

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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

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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

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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

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