Columbus GA vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 39.3% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 46.7% | 16.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $297,021 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1992 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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