Columbus GA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 86,973 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 39.3% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 25.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $509,396 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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