Columbus GA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 39.3% | 16.5% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.9% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $48,416 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $25,509 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 10.9% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 24.7% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 17.4% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $482,675 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 24.1% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 23.4% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 35.9 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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