Columbus GA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 190,214 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 39.3% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 46.7% | 13.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 20.1% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $429,449 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 41.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.6% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.7% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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