Columbus GA vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 113,714 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.5% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 46.7% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 3.4% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 41.1% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.7% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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