Columbus GA vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Columbus
39.3%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 119,508 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 39.3% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 46.7% | 31.5% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $399,650 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 50.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 75.4°F | Columbus + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 62.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.0 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA