Columbus GA vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 112,546 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 39.3% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 46.7% | 23.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $52,170 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $29,894 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 29.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 471 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.6% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Columbus +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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