Columbus GA vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Paterson
N/A
White
Columbus
39.3%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 46.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $527,542 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 28.6% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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