Columbus GA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 39.3% | 36.1% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 39.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 22.0% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $233,814 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 34.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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