Columbus GA vs Springfield MA — 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, MA

Massachusetts · Population: 154,751

Median HH Income$51,339
Median Home Price$298,985
Unemployment8.2%
Bachelor's+19.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Columbus

204,383

Columbus +

Springfield

154,751

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Columbus

N/A

Springfield

N/A

Median Age

Columbus

35.1

Springfield

33.7

Springfield +

Foreign Born

Columbus

5.3%

Springfield

10.2%

Springfield +

White

Columbus

39.3%

Springfield

40.8%

Springfield +

Black

Columbus

46.7%

Columbus +

Springfield

20.0%

Asian

Columbus

2.6%

Springfield

2.8%

Springfield +

Hispanic

Columbus

8.3%

Springfield

47.4%

Springfield +

Spanish at Home

Columbus

N/A

Springfield

N/A

Metric	Columbus, GA	Springfield, MA	Better
Population	204,383	154,751	Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	35.1	33.7	Springfield +
Foreign Born	5.3%	10.2%	Springfield +
White	39.3%	40.8%	Springfield +
Black	46.7%	20.0%	Columbus +
Asian	2.6%	2.8%	Springfield +
Hispanic	8.3%	47.4%	Springfield +
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Columbus

$56,622

Columbus +

Springfield

$51,339

Per Capita Income

Columbus

$32,811

Columbus +

Springfield

$27,054

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Columbus

$57,405

Springfield

$85,405

Springfield +

Unemployment Rate

Columbus

6.5%

Columbus +

Springfield

8.2%

Poverty Rate

Columbus

18.8%

Columbus +

Springfield

25.3%

Bachelor's Degree+

Columbus

29.7%

Columbus +

Springfield

19.7%

Metric	Columbus, GA	Springfield, MA	Better
Median HH Income	$56,622	$51,339	Columbus +
Per Capita Income	$32,811	$27,054	Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$57,405	$85,405	Springfield +
Unemployment Rate	6.5%	8.2%	Columbus +
Poverty Rate	18.8%	25.3%	Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+	29.7%	19.7%	Columbus +

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Columbus

$175,194

Columbus +

Springfield

$298,985

Homeownership Rate

Columbus

50.2%

Columbus +

Springfield

49.5%

Metric	Columbus, GA	Springfield, MA	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$175,194	$298,985	Columbus +
Homeownership Rate	50.2%	49.5%	Columbus +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Columbus

392

Springfield

326

Springfield +

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Columbus

1752

Springfield

1086

Springfield +

Metric	Columbus, GA	Springfield, MA	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	392	326	Springfield +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	1752	1086	Springfield +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Columbus

40.3%

Springfield

39.6%

Springfield +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Columbus

15.5%

Springfield

14.8%

Springfield +

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Columbus

19.1%

Columbus +

Springfield

21.1%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Columbus

14.8%

Springfield

13.7%

Springfield +

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Columbus

13.9%

Columbus +

Springfield

15.1%

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Columbus

16.1%

Columbus +

Springfield

17.5%

Metric	Columbus, GA	Springfield, MA	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	40.3%	39.6%	Springfield +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	15.5%	14.8%	Springfield +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	19.1%	21.1%	Columbus +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	14.8%	13.7%	Springfield +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	13.9%	15.1%	Columbus +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	16.1%	17.5%	Columbus +

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

N/A

Metric	Columbus, GA	Springfield, MA	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

Springfield

7.2 µg/m³

Springfield +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Columbus

55.0%

Springfield

75.0%

Springfield +

Metric	Columbus, GA	Springfield, MA	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	9.8 µg/m³	7.2 µg/m³	Springfield +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	55.0%	75.0%	Springfield +

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Columbus

21.6 min

Columbus +

Springfield

22.6 min

Metric	Columbus, GA	Springfield, MA	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	21.6 min	22.6 min	Columbus +

Which City is Right for You?

Housing costs differ substantially: the median home in Springfield costs $298,985, which is 71% more expensive than Columbus's median of $175,194. In Columbus, a median home costs 3.1× the annual household income, compared to 5.8× in Springfield. On public safety, Springfield is 17% safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in the other city. Economically, Columbus has an edge with a lower unemployment rate of 6.5% and a higher median household income of $56,622. For quality of life, Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 7.2 µg/m³). If you prioritize affordable housing, Columbus offers 41% lower home prices while maintaining comparable income levels — making it a strong value proposition for buyers and renters alike.

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About Columbus & Springfield

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