Columbus GA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 71,124 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 39.3% | 32.4% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $55,269 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 7.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 23.2% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $327,117 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 46.0% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 394 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1991 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 41.0% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.0% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.0 min | Columbus + |
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 394 in Wilmington. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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