Columbus GA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 39.3% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 46.7% | 37.5% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $46,628 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $30,451 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 26.6% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $241,627 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 37.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.6% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
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, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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