Columbus GA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 39.3% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 46.7% | 12.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $435,532 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 42.4% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.3 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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