Columbus GA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 39.3% | 28.7% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 21.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $664,939 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 28.8% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 40.3 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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