When comparing living in Columbus, Ohio, and Northeast Cobb, Georgia, several factors come into play. Both areas offer unique experiences, from weather conditions, cost of living, education, job opportunities, to cultural, and recreational amenities. While Columbus is characterized by a diverse economy, Northeast Cobb provides a more suburban feel with an affluent residential element. This detailed comparison goes through these categories to help you discern which location could be a better fit for you.
Like any city, Columbus and Northeast Cobb have areas of varying safety levels. Northeast Cobb, a suburb of Atlanta, consistently ranks among the safest regions in Georgia, boasting a remarkably low crime rate. On the other hand, Columbus's crime rates are higher, reflecting its status as a major urban city. However, many safe neighborhoods exist in Columbus, such as Victorian Village and Clintonville.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Columbus is generally lower than Northeast Cobb, particularly when it comes to housing. Without considering personal expenses, Columbus offers more affordable options for groceries, healthcare, and utilities. However, Northeast Cobb's higher cost of living is often offset by the higher average income of its residents.
Income Tax
Ohio has a progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 1.98% to 4.797%. Georgia's income tax ranges from 1% to 5.75%, depending on your income level. Additionally, Columbus imposes a 2.5% municipal income tax.
Property Tax
The average effective property tax rate in Columbus is about 2.04% while in Cobb County, where Northeast Cobb is located, it's roughly 0.93%. This points to a lower property tax burden for residents of Northeast Cobb, a factor that balances out some of its other cost of living aspects.
Sales Tax
Ohio's statewide sales tax rate is currently 5.75%, but Columbus imposes an additional 2.5% for a total of 7.5%. Georgia's state sales tax rate is 4%, and Cobb County adds a further 2%, totaling a 6% sales tax in Northeast Cobb.
Income
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Estimated median household income
$58,202
$124,910
Estimated per capita income
$32,392
$58,954
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
108.8
If you make $50,000 in Columbus, you will have to make $56,608 in Northeast Cobb to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Columbus, located in the Midwest, is characterized by its flat terrain, making it ideal for outdoor activities like running and biking. Northeast Cobb, on the other hand, showcases the hilly topography typical of the Piedmont region, offering green and scenic surroundings.
Geographical information
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Land area
210.3 sq. miles
67.4 sq. miles
Population density
4,311.3 people per sq. mile
2,519.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Columbus, OH Northeast Cobb, GA
Education
Both locations boast good education options. Columbus is home to Ohio State University and many great public and private schools. Meanwhile, Northeast Cobb is served by the highly-rated Cobb County School District and has several top-performing schools. Both areas present good education opportunities.
Columbus boasts a diverse economy with strong sectors in education, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Accordingly, it offers a wide range of job opportunities. Northeast Cobb, while being largely a residential area, benefits from its proximity to Atlanta, which provides numerous employment opportunities in sectors like healthcare, education, tech, and entertainment.
Biggest Employers
Columbus's largest employers include The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Insurance and Honda of America. In contrast, Northeast Cobb's residents often work in Atlanta, where companies like The Home Depot, Delta Airlines, and the Coca Cola Company are big employers.
In Columbus (Franklin County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 37.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northeast Cobb (Cobb County), 43.0% voted for Democrats and 55.4% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
2020
64.7%
56.3%
33.4%
42.0%
1.9%
1.6%
2016
59.8%
48.0%
33.9%
45.8%
6.2%
6.3%
2012
60.8%
43.0%
37.9%
55.4%
1.3%
1.6%
2008
59.8%
44.8%
39.0%
54.2%
1.2%
0.9%
2004
54.5%
37.2%
45.2%
62.1%
0.3%
0.7%
2000
48.9%
36.9%
47.9%
59.8%
3.2%
3.3%
1996
48.1%
36.8%
44.5%
56.9%
7.3%
6.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
CATHOLIC CHURCH
13.2%
11.2%
5.6%
1.6%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.6%
0.5%
3.7%
1.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
15.3%
6.8%
27.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.3%
0.6%
1.9%
1.3%
VINEYARD USA
1.3%
0.2%
1.2%
0.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.0%
0.1%
3.3%
0.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.9%
1.3%
1.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
2.0%
2.5%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.3%
0.3%
2.0%
Weather
Columbus has a four-season climate, with hot summers and cold winters that can see significant snowfall. This offers a variety of seasonal activities like skiing and snowboarding. In contrast, Northeast Cobb offers a milder climate, with hot summers and comparatively mild winters, but more humidity. This is typical of the southeastern US region.
Weather and climate
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Temperature - Average
52.8°F
59.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.8%
74%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
38.2%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
87.2%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
49%
Precipitation - Yearly average
39.3 in
54.4 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
56.6 in
4.1 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12%
18.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.7%
65.5%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
27%
17%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
55%
66.9%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
28%
49.9%
Wind speed - Average
8.2 mph
8.8 mph
Average climate in Columbus, Ohio
Average climate in Northeast Cobb, Georgia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
2018
69
84
0.11
0.27
10.0
N/A
33.8
24.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.5
6.0
10.0
0.0
0.5
2017
68
85
0.16
0.31
9.6
N/A
28.7
23.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.5
5.5
9.6
0.1
0.8
2016
76
105
0.17
0.31
10.6
N/A
28.5
26.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.2
5.6
10.4
0.1
0.7
2015
74
91
0.16
0.31
11.3
N/A
27.0
23.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
17.6
6.1
9.9
0.1
0.7
2014
82
87
0.20
0.31
11.0
N/A
28.5
23.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.4
7.4
9.8
0.5
0.8
2013
78
87
N/A
0.30
8.9
N/A
29.6
23.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.0
7.8
9.4
0.6
0.7
2012
87
109
N/A
0.33
N/A
N/A
32.9
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.8
8.9
10.8
N/A
0.8
2011
89
98
N/A
0.33
N/A
N/A
28.1
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.1
8.9
12.4
N/A
1.4
2010
90
102
N/A
0.35
N/A
N/A
30.5
26.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.5
9.1
12.3
N/A
1.8
2009
61
96
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
28.7
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.5
N/A
11.9
N/A
1.7
2008
65
99
N/A
0.53
N/A
15.3
31.2
30.2
0.003
N/A
N/A
22.5
N/A
14.3
1.8
2.5
2007
80
123
N/A
0.45
N/A
17.0
30.8
32.6
0.003
N/A
N/A
29.4
N/A
16.9
2.8
2.7
2006
75
124
N/A
0.58
N/A
15.5
30.0
32.4
0.003
N/A
23.7
22.9
N/A
16.9
3.3
3.4
2005
87
117
N/A
0.55
N/A
16.0
29.6
28.9
0.005
N/A
27.5
25.5
N/A
15.0
4.1
3.2
2004
77
118
N/A
0.54
N/A
16.2
27.8
26.9
0.004
N/A
24.6
22.9
N/A
14.3
4.4
2.8
2003
91
109
N/A
0.56
N/A
16.3
26.4
25.8
0.004
N/A
23.9
22.2
N/A
15.2
4.1
3.0
2002
93
121
N/A
0.60
N/A
17.7
31.3
28.6
N/A
N/A
25.7
23.2
N/A
13.1
4.1
3.0
2001
84
115
N/A
0.69
N/A
20.3
29.2
28.2
N/A
N/A
25.9
27.0
N/A
N/A
3.5
3.1
2000
57
129
N/A
0.50
N/A
20.2
N/A
30.3
N/A
N/A
23.5
28.4
N/A
N/A
3.7
3.2
Natural disasters
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
119.1%
164.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
96.1%
161.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
14%
Transportation
Columbus offers a variety of commuting options, including extensive bus services, biking lanes, and rideshares. Northeast Cobb, like much of suburban Atlanta, is largely car-dependent, but it also offers several commuter buses to downtown Atlanta. Both locations have access to a major airport – John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, respectively.
Transport
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
415
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Bicycle
0.6%
0.1%
Bus
1.6%
0.4%
Carpooled
7.4%
8%
Car alone
86.7%
83.1%
Subway
0%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
2.2%
0.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Average
26.1 min
29.9 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Columbus is typically less expensive than in Northeast Cobb. The median home cost in Columbus is significantly lower, making it attractive for those seeking affordable housing options. Meanwhile, Northeast Cobb is known for its luxury housing market with spacious homes and affluent neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods
Columbus boasts a wide variety of neighborhoods, each with distinct characteristics. Victorian Village, for instance, is known for its charming, historic homes. In contrast, Northeast Cobb features suburban neighborhoods radiating a peaceful, family-friendly ambiance. East Cobb is particularly sought after for its top-rated schools and beautiful homes.
Houses and residents
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
Houses
422,120
55,687
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.7
Houses occupied
390,605 (92.5%)
53,995 (97%)
Houses occupied by owners
175,427 (44.9%)
44,004 (81.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
215,178 (55.1%)
9,991 (18.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,371
$1,359
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$195,022
$288,766
Estimated median house or condo value
$219,200
$434,285
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
8.7
Renting percentage
53%
20.2%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,007.5
826.5
Household income disparities
42.4%
33.9%
Housing units without a mortgage
4,290 (3.3%)
5,031 (12.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,651 (8.2%)
162 (0.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
125,487 (96.7%)
36,398 (87.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
775 (0.6%)
6,379 (15.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,558 (10.4%)
4,164 (10.1%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.6%
0.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
20,915
5,127
State government workers
31,881
1,584
Unpaid family workers
724
233
Industries and Occupations
In Columbus, the largest industries are healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing. Northeast Cobb does not have a significant industrial presence due to its largely residential nature, but residents often commute to Atlanta, where sectors like technology, healthcare, film, and television industries dominate.
Columbus boasts a strong healthcare network, headlined by nationally recognized hospitals such as the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Northeast Cobb shares Metro Atlanta's excellent healthcare resources, featuring top-rated healthcare facilities such as WellStar Kennestone Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Columbus is known for its robust infrastructure, including world-class healthcare facilities, excellent utilities services, and well-planned city layout. The Port Columbus International Airport and extensive roadway system facilitate easy access. Northeast Cobb also boasts excellent infrastructure qualities bolstered by its proximity to Atlanta.
Infrastructure
Type
Columbus
Northeast Cobb
TV stations
14
24
Culture and Food
Columbus provides a rich cultural scene with numerous festivals, museums, and theaters, and is known for its food scene that spans various global cuisine. On the other hand, Northeast Cobb offers a suburban flavor but benefits from its proximity to Atlanta, providing access to diverse restaurants, museums, and cultural events that this large city offers.
Sports Teams
Columbus is home to professional sports teams like the Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer) and Blue Jackets (National Hockey League). Northeast Cobb residents, being a suburb of Atlanta, support Atlanta's pro teams, including the Braves (Major League Baseball), the Hawks (National Basketball Association), and the Falcons (National Football League).
Columbus, OH
Northeast Cobb, GA
