Columbus GA vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Flint
2.9%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 80,835 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 2.9% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 34.4% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 0.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 4.5% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $36,194 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $20,799 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 17.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 34.4% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 13.1% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 50.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 19.3% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 23.5% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 25.3% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.0 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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 40.3%.
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