Columbus GA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 39.3% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 46.7% | 18.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $334,719 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 48.0% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1992 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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