Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Columbus
29.0%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $37,189 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,300 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Columbus
$248,749
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 44.3% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, 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 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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