Columbus GA vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Eugene
177,520
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Eugene
35.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Eugene
6.8%
Eugene +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 177,520 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.8% | Eugene + |
| White | 39.3% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Eugene
47.6%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $478,489 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 47.6% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Eugene
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 52.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 46.1 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Eugene
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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