Columbus GA vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Little Rock
39.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 202,739 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 39.3% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 46.7% | 39.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Columbus +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $216,863 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 40.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 50.0 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA