Columbus GA vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
New York
35.9%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 39.3% | 35.9% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 22.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $816,078 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 32.8% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 44.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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