Columbus GA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 115,415 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 39.3% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 46.7% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $441,257 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 49.3% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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