Columbus GA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 141,925 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 39.3% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 46.7% | 20.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $51,468 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $28,819 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 24.0% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 28.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $196,465 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 48.9% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.4% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 20.4% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 66.6°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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