Rows tagged local are specific to West Columbia (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Columbia, SC. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district 4502730 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
93.2
metro-area
#0 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
95.9
metro-area
#0 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.30
metro-area
#0 of 200
Median household income
$52,648
local
#0 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$36,258
local
#0 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.87%
local
#0 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+2.4%
local
#0 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$178,000
local
#0 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.4×
local
#0 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+1.3%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Price per square foot
$89
local
#0 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$982
local
#0 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,467
Median days on market
22
metro-area
#0 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.9%
state
#0 of 200
Combined sales tax
7.44%
state
#0 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
6.20%
Capital gains tax
6.40%
state
#0 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.61%
local
#0 of 200
Median property tax paid
$1,079
local
#0 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#0 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,500
state
#0 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$40
state
#0 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.33% of value (~$652/yr)
state
#0 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
2
Avg commute to work
18 min
local
#0 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.1¢/kWh
state
#0 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$154
state
#0 of 200
Gasoline
$3.05/gal
state
#0 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$56
state
#0 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$97
state
#0 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#0 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#0 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#0 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#0 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#0 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
47
metro-area
#0 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,000
metro-area
#0 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,000
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg summer high
91°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg winter low
36°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual precipitation
49.5"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual snowfall
1.5"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
62%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
8a
Frost window
03-10 → 11-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
530
state
#0 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#0 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
46
metro-area
#0 of 200
Parks
36
Hiking areas
5
Golf courses
23
Shooting ranges
3
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#0 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.