Columbus GA vs Pembroke Pines FL — 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Pembroke Pines +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 170,557 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 43.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 39.3% | 43.9% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Black | 46.7% | 21.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Pembroke Pines +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $39,881 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 38.1% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $488,550 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Pembroke Pines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.4% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Pembroke Pines, FL | 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
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA