Columbus GA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 119,970 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 39.3% | 26.4% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 36.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $45,300 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $27,319 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 10.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 25.5% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 18.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Hartford
$199,359
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $199,359 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 25.8% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 40.4% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.8% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 20.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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