Columbus GA vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 39.3% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 46.7% | 28.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $232,133 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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