Columbus GA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 98,677 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 39.3% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 46.7% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $52,671 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.7% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 28.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $279,668 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 41.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.7% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.7% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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