Columbus GA vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 39.3% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 46.7% | 2.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 7.8% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $400,636 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3409 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.5% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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