Columbus GA vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 39.3% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 46.7% | 11.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.2% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 27.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $426,069 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 460 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2417 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.5% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.4% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 67.4°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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