Columbus GA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 105,460 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 46.7% | 1.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.7% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 7.5% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 24.8% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $414,734 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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