Columbus GA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 169,432 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 3.8% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 46.7% | 4.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.7% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 5.6% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $45,984 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $30,864 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.4% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $245,279 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 42.9% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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