Columbus GA vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Columbus
39.3%
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 39.3% | El Paso + |
| Black | 46.7% | 3.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $58,734 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $28,942 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 27.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
El Paso
$235,994
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $235,994 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Columbus, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 27.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.5% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 64.3°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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