Home prices in this SC city are rising more than most others in the US, new data shows
Columbia is undeniably getting more popular, and as the city’s population grows, the demand for houses increases as well. It should be no surprise then that house prices have jumped significantly since last year, according to a new report.
SmartAsset, a financial technology company, published a study that listed the cities that saw the biggest jump in housing prices over the course of a year.
To compile the analysis, SmartAsset used data from the Zillow Home Value Index to compare 100 of the largest U.S. cities for price growth. Home value data for single-family homes, condos and co-ops were included.
Across the nation, between 2025 and 2026, the typical home value in most major U.S. cities actually declined by 1.04%, with values dropping in 70% of cities, SmartAsset found.
For potential homebuyers in Columbia, most house prices didn’t decrease in South Carolina’s capital. In fact, the typical home value in Columbia is seeing one of the nation’s largest price increases and was listed in the ranking’s top 25 cities.
Here’s where Columbia places on the ranking:
Columbia’s change in house prices
According to the study, Columbia ranked 20th in the nation for its one-year change in housing costs. In 2025, the typical home value was $224,143. In 2026, the typical home value went up to $226,769, which is a 1.17% increase.
This isn’t a new trend for Columbia. Since 2019, house prices have increased by 65.2% and over five years, home value increased by 42.3%.
Columbia is right behind Richmond, Virginia, and above El Paso, Texas, in the ranking.
10 cities where home values rising the most
Here’s how the top 10 U.S. cities for increased home values compared, according to SmartAsset:
- 1. Toledo, Ohio: 5.6% increase in typical home value from February 2025 to February 2026
- 2. Lincoln, Nebraska: 4.11%
- 3. San Francisco, California: 4.04%
- 4. New York City, New York: 3.97%
- 5. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 3.69%
- 6. Buffalo, New York: 3.65%
- 7. Lexington, Kentucky: 3.12%
- 8. Tulsa, Oklahoma: 2.86%
- 9. Louisville, Kentucky: 2.5%
- 10. Virginia Beach, Virginia: 2.5%
5 cities with largest drops in home value
- Oakland, California: -9.07%
- Saint Petersburg, Florida: -7.47%
- Naples, Florida: -6.35%
- Austin, Texas: -5.93%
- Plano, Texas: -5.10%
You can find the full list of cities that made the ranking by clicking here.