Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Columbia, SC
VS
Quincy, 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
Quincy
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,668 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
88 ✓ Safer
Population
100,981
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Columbia, SC
Pros
Homes cost $337k less ($226,200 vs $563,200)
Rent averages $796/mo less ($1,105 vs $1,901)
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Quincy
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.9)
Cons
Median income trails Quincy by $36,573/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 6.7%)
Quincy, MA
Pros
Households earn $36,573 more per year on average
56% less violent crime than Columbia
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (6.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $563,200
Higher rents — median is $1,901/mo
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Columbia
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
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
$337k less
$226,200 vs $563,200
Columbia
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 92.5°F vs 83.0°F
Quincy
Median Income
$36,573
$90,668 vs $54,095/yr
Quincy
Violent Crime
56% lower
335.1 vs 769.9 per 100k
Quincy
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
6.7% vs 7.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Quincy, 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 | $563,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,105 ✓ Lower | $1,901⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,095 | $90,668 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 6.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.4 min ✓ Shorter | 33.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.3% | 15.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 183⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 203⚠ High | 88 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 154⚠ High | 63 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.8% | 46.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.2% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Richland 01 | Quincy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.3°F ✓ Warmer | 37.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.5°F ✓ Warmer | 83.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.7" ✓ Drier | 52.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.4" ✓ Less | 50.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 136,754 ✓ Larger | 100,981 |
| Median Age | 28.3 | 38.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% ✓ Higher | 43.9% |
| Under 18 | 17.0% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 10.7% | 16.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Columbia's cost of living index is 92.9 vs Quincy'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 Quincy 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 Quincy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($226,200 vs $563,200 median home), income ($54,095 vs $90,668), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Columbia, SC and Quincy, MA are about 781 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.