Columbus GA vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 112,818 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 39.3% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 46.7% | 4.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 23.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $472,119 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.4% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gresham, OR | 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
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Gresham
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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