Bellevue WA vs Columbus GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bellevue
151,199
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Bellevue +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 35.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 5.3% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 39.3% | Bellevue + |
| Black | 2.2% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 2.6% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 8.3% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Columbus
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Columbus
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $56,622 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $32,811 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $57,405 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 6.5% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 18.8% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 29.7% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 50.2% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Columbus
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 392 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 40.3% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 15.5% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.1% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 14.8% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 16.1% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
Compare More Cities
Bellevue, WA vs New York, NYBellevue, WA vs Los Angeles, CABellevue, WA vs Chicago, ILBellevue, WA vs Houston, TXBellevue, WA vs Phoenix, AZBellevue, WA vs Philadelphia, PA