Worth Considering
1
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Columbia, South Carolina
1 of 12 nursing homes in Columbia (8%) meet our strict criteria. The South Carolina statewide average is 29%.
1 recommended · 5 caution · 6 avoid · data
City Average
2.3
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
1,710
across 12 facilities
High Risk Facilities
6
6 Grade F
$620,630 in combined fines
Zero Fines
5
/12
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why This One?
The nursing home market in Columbia, South Carolina, is adequate but has significant concerns, with 6 facilities in the avoid tier and total fines of $616,902. Families should be cautious and consider the top-rated Rice Estate Rehabilitation and Healthcare (B+, 4★) when seeking care.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 1 Rice Estate Rehabilitation and Healthcare (80) — Rice Estate Rehabilitation and Healthcare shines with its CMS 4-star rating and an impressive Trust Score of 80/100. As a non-profit facility, it emphasizes community-focused care, creating a supportive environment for its 80 residents. With a Grade B+ and no fines, it stands out for its commitment to quality rehabilitation and healthcare services.
The other 11 Columbia facilities didn't qualify — 6 carry Grade D or F ratings and 7 have fines totaling $620K.
Recommended
Rice Estate Rehabilitation and Healthcare shines with its CMS 4-star rating and an impressive Trust Score of 80/100. As a non-profit facility, it emphasizes community-focused care, creating a supportive environment for its 80 residents. With a Grade B+ and no fines, it stands out for its commitment to quality rehabilitation and healthcare services.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Also Worth Considering
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Columbia Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 4 stars | 2.3 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 11?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 6 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 7 Have fines totaling $620,630
- Low-scoring facilities
- 4 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 5 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Columbia Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Columbia's city average is 2.3 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
7 of 12 Columbia facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Columbia avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Columbia facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Columbia, SC are recommended?
1 of 12 nursing homes in Columbia (8%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Columbia "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Columbia?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.