Best suburbs in Columbia
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- 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+
- 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+
#9. West Columbia, South Carolina
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- 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
- 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
#8. Oak Grove, South Carolina
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- 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+
- 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+
#7. Chapin, South Carolina
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- 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+
- 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+
#6. Blythewood, South Carolina
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- 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+
- 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+
#5. Cayce, South Carolina
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- 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+
- 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+
#4. Irmo, South Carolina
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- 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+
- 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+
#3. Seven Oaks, South Carolina
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- 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+
- 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+
#2. Lexington, South Carolina
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- 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+
- 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.
#1. Forest Acres, South Carolina
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