Columbus GA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 75,721 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 39.3% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 46.7% | 2.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 6.8% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $765,686 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 45.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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