Columbus GA vs Glendale CA — 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Glendale
192,270
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 192,270 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 39.3% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.2% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $1,205,826 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 35.3% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Glendale
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Glendale
64.1°F
Glendale +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 64.1°F | Glendale + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 503 in Glendale. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA