Columbus GA vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 102,583 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 46.7% | 10.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.9% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $313,200 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.5% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | 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
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.9 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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