Columbus GA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 183,032 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 39.3% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 46.7% | 28.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $510,297 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 75.5°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 66.5 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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