Columbus GA vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 39.3% | 35.5% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 22.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.7% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $265,062 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 42.0% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Houston, 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%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 24.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.7% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 48.7 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 29.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 Houston. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PAColumbus, GA vs San Antonio, TX