Columbus GA vs St. Petersburg FL — 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%
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Columbus
39.3%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 43.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 39.3% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 46.7% | 19.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $331,500 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.6% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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