Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Columbus
204,383
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 204,383 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.1 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 5.3% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 39.3% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.6% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 8.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Columbus
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Columbus
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $56,622 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $32,811 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 18.8% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 29.7% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 50.2% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.3% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 15.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.1% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.8% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.1% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 64.4°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 49.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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