Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Columbia, SC
VS
Lowell, MA
🏆 Columbia leads 13 of 23 categories
Columbia
South Carolina
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,095
Violent Crime Index
203⚠ High
Population
136,754 ✓ Larger
Lowell
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,008 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,737
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Columbia, SC
Pros
Homes cost $137k less ($226,200 vs $362,800)
Rent averages $361/mo less ($1,105 vs $1,466)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Lowell
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 44.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 34°F
Cons
Median income trails Lowell by $18,913/yr
Violent crime (769.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3232.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.9% vs 5.7%)
Lowell, MA
Pros
31% less violent crime than Columbia
Households earn $18,913 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $362,800
Violent crime (532.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,466/mo
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Columbia
Key Differences at a Glance
Columbia
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 92.9 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Columbia
Median Home Value
$137k less
$226,200 vs $362,800
Columbia
Summer Heat
7.8°F warmer
July avg high 92.5°F vs 84.7°F
Lowell
Median Income
$18,913
$73,008 vs $54,095/yr
Lowell
Violent Crime
31% lower
532.5 vs 769.9 per 100k
Lowell
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Lowell, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.9 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $226,200 ✓ Lower | $362,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,105 ✓ Lower | $1,466⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $73,008 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.4 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.3% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 183⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 203⚠ High | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 154⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.8% ✓ Higher | 28.3% |
| High School or Higher | 91.2% ✓ Higher | 82.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Richland 01 | Lowell |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.3°F ✓ Warmer | 34.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.5°F ✓ Warmer | 84.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.7" | 48.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.4" ✓ Less | 59.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 136,754 ✓ Larger | 114,737 |
| Median Age | 28.3 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% ✓ Higher | 43.3% |
| Under 18 | 17.0% | 20.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.7% | 11.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Columbia's cost of living index is 92.9 vs Lowell's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Columbia is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Columbia leads 13 of 23 categories. Columbia wins 13 and Lowell wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Columbia to Lowell or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($226,200 vs $362,800 median home), income ($54,095 vs $73,008), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Columbia, SC and Lowell, MA are about 788 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.