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Best suburbs in Columbia
The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023 . But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Columbia. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Columbia.
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#9. West Columbia, South Carolina
- Population: 17,459
- Median home value: $178,000
- Median rental price: $982
- Top schools nearby: GREEN Charter School Midlands (grade A−), East Point Academy (grade A−), Gray Collegiate Academy (grade B)
- Top private schools nearby: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Hammond School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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#8. Oak Grove, South Carolina
- Population: 11,385
- Median home value: $171,300
- Median rental price: $1,215
- Top schools nearby: River Bluff High School (grade A), Meadow Glen Middle School (grade A), GREEN Charter School Midlands (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Hammond School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B
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#7. Chapin, South Carolina
- Population: 1,543
- Median home value: $186,200
- Median rental price: $1,418
- Top schools nearby: Spring Hill High School (grade A+), Lake Murray Elementary School (grade A), Chapin Intermediate (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Union United Methodist Church Kindergarten (grade unavailable), McGregor Presbyterian Preschool & Kindergarten (grade unavailable), New Heights School (grade unavailable)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A−
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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#6. Blythewood, South Carolina
- Population: 4,890
- Median home value: $349,600
- Median rental price: $1,094
- Top schools nearby: Blythewood High School (grade A), Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School (grade B+), Muller Road Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A), Covenant Classical Christian School (grade B+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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#5. Cayce, South Carolina
- Population: 13,755
- Median home value: $147,700
- Median rental price: $1,246
- Top schools nearby: Dreher High School (grade A), GREEN Charter School Midlands (grade A−), Brockman Elementary School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Hammond School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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#4. Irmo, South Carolina
- Population: 11,685
- Median home value: $168,200
- Median rental price: $1,329
- Top schools nearby: Spring Hill High School (grade A+), Ballentine Elementary School (grade A), Dutch Fork High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A), Northside Christian Academy (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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#3. Seven Oaks, South Carolina
- Population: 15,826
- Median home value: $181,300
- Median rental price: $1,119
- Top schools nearby: Spring Hill High School (grade A+), GREEN Charter School Midlands (grade A−), Nursery Road Elementary School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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#2. Lexington, South Carolina
- Population: 23,665
- Median home value: $239,700
- Median rental price: $1,270
- Top schools nearby: River Bluff High School (grade A), Meadow Glen Elementary School (grade A), Lexington High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
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#1. Forest Acres, South Carolina
- Population: 10,514
- Median home value: $232,100
- Median rental price: $1,095
- Top schools nearby: GREEN Charter School Midlands (grade A−), Brockman Elementary School (grade A−), A.C. Flora High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Hammond School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
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