Columbus GA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 68,505 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 39.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 46.7% | 9.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 3.1% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $561,069 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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