Columbus GA vs Grand Prairie TX — 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%
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
198,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 198,564 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 39.3% | 32.9% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 24.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
29.0%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $78,889 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $34,348 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $318,759 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 57.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
2339
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 22.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, 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 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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