Columbus GA vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 39.3% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 46.7% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $204,104 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 449 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2174 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.4% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, 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 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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