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SC area data

Columbia, SC

Aggregated across 13 ZIP codes in Columbia.

Population: 346,894 (Census ACS)

The median home value in Columbia, SC is $247,929 — up 1.8% over the past year. Typical rent runs $1,482/month. 78 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Moderate, with icestorm, hurricane, inlandflooding the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 8.8% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$247,929

Median home value

+1.8%

1-year change

Relatively Moderate

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$247,929
1-year appreciation
+1.8%
3-year appreciation
+8.4%
5-year appreciation
+29.3%
10-year appreciation
+88.9%
All-time peak (2026-07)
$249,982
House Price Index (state)
444.0 (+2.0% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

For-sale inventory
1,403
1-year forecast
+1.4%
Days to pending
44 days
New listings (monthly)
447

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Typical rent
$1,482/mo
1-year rent change
+2.0%

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Below Average)
91.2 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
15.0¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$16.90/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
78
Elementary schools
42
Middle schools
12
High schools
19
Charter schools
7
School districts serving the area
Richland 01, Charter Institute at Erskine, Dept Of Correction N04
Schools include
Logan Elementary, Clear Dot Charter School, Manning High, Forest Heights Elementary, Arden Elementary

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Moderate
Top hazards (county)
iceStorm, hurricane, inlandFlooding, lightning, strongWind, tornado
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively Moderate · drought: Relatively Low · earthquake: Relatively Moderate · hail: Relatively Moderate · heatWave: Relatively Moderate · hurricane: Relatively High
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 57% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
54.4%
Radon potential (county)
Low radon potential — EPA Zone 3 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
1
Nearest Superfund site
Townsend Saw Chain Co. (3.1 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
65.7°F
Average high
77.4°F
Average low
54.1°F
Annual precipitation
48.5 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
8b (extreme annual low 15 to 20°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
47
Days with Good air quality
199
Days with Moderate air quality
146
Highest AQI recorded (year)
124

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
20
Nearest national park
Congaree National Park (15 mi)
National parks include
Congaree National Park, Ninety Six National Historic Site
Airports within 30 mi
274
Nearest airport
Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport (CUB) (1 mi)
Nearest major airport
Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport (CUB) (1 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
506
Hospitals include
MIZELL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CRENSHAW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, BEACON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.4 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
4.6 / 5
EV charging stations (within 10 mi)
83
Solar radiation rating
Good (4.6 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
-63 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,982
Housing built before 1970
35.8%
Housing built 2000 or later
29.7%
Median annual property tax
$1,583
Mean commute to work
18 min
Households with broadband internet
81.0%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
172,284
Average weekly wage
$1,148
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Finance & Insurance
Annual residential building permits (county)
883

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

ColumbiaState medianUS median
Median home value$247,929$229,480$289,727
Typical rent$1,482/mo$1,650/mo$1,808/mo
Median annual property tax$1,583$845$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in Columbia, SC?
$247,929.
What is typical rent in Columbia, SC?
Typical rent: $1,482/month.
What is the natural-hazard risk in Columbia, SC?
Overall risk: Relatively Moderate (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: iceStorm, hurricane, inlandFlooding, lightning, strongWind, tornado.
What is the wildfire risk in Columbia, SC?
Risk to homes is higher than 57% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Columbia, SC?
Low radon potential — EPA Zone 3 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Columbia, SC?
1 current or proposed National Priorities List site within 5 miles (EPA). Nearest site: Townsend Saw Chain Co., 3.1 mi.
How many schools serve Columbia, SC?
78 schools (42 elementary, 12 middle, 19 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
What is the air quality in Columbia, SC?
Good. Median AQI: 47. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC?
Regional Price Parity: 91.2 (100 = US average) (Below Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP codes in Columbia

Selling a home in Columbia, SC?

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents