Columbus GA vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 51,054 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 39.3% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 46.7% | 16.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 9.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 23.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $205,924 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 36.8% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.7% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, 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 434 in Utica. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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