Columbus GA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 176,666 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 39.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $438,754 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3001 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 41.4% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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