Atlanta GA vs Columbus OH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Columbus
29.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.9% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.9% | 29.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $65,327 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $37,189 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 38.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 44.3% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 34.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.1% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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