Columbus GA vs Evansville IN — 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%
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Evansville
116,441
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Evansville
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Evansville
38.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Evansville
3.9%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Evansville
13.5%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Evansville
1.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Evansville
4.0%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Evansville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 116,441 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 3.9% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 77.1% | Evansville + |
| Black | 46.7% | 13.5% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 4.0% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Evansville
$52,251
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Evansville
$31,236
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Evansville
22.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $52,251 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $31,236 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.6% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 22.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Evansville
$200,657
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $200,657 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 53.9% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Evansville
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Evansville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Evansville
18.6%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 40.0% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.8% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.7% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.6% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.6% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Evansville
46.8 in
Evansville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 60.1°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 46.8 in | Evansville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Evansville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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