Columbus GA vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 194,338 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 39.3% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 46.7% | 3.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $488,428 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 450 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2150 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.7% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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