Columbus GA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 114,303 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 39.3% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $26,755 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 22.3% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $486,127 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 39.9% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.5% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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