Columbus GA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 39.3% | 39.1% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 43.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $580,173 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 41.1% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 24.0% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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