Columbus GA vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 39.3% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 46.7% | 7.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $411,323 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Phoenix, 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%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 72.1°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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