Columbus GA vs Lynn MA — 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 100,905 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 39.3% | 44.6% | Lynn + |
| Black | 46.7% | 12.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 23.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $584,482 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Lynn
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lynn, MA | 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
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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