Columbus GA vs Kailua HI — 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%
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Kailua
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Kailua
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Kailua
N/A
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Kailua
N/A
White
Columbus
39.3%
Kailua
N/A
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Kailua
N/A
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Kailua
N/A
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Kailua
N/A
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 46.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Kailua
$63,296
Kailua +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Kailua
N/A
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Kailua
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,296 | Kailua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Kailua
$1,530,716
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $1,530,716 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Kailua
2592
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 276 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2592 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Kailua
26.5%
Kailua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Kailua
9.8%
Kailua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Kailua
15.8%
Kailua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Kailua
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Kailua
14.9%
Kailua +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 26.5% | Kailua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.8% | Kailua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.8% | Kailua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 3.7% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Kailua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Kailua
69.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
Kailua
107.9 in
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 69.3°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 107.9 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Kailua
75.0%
Kailua +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kailua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kailua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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