Columbus GA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 39.3% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 46.7% | 27.5% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $435,807 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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