Columbus, GA vs Montgomery, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Columbus
76.2
#370 nationally
Montgomery
75
#518 nationally
Montgomery leads in crime level (3.2 vs 16.5). Montgomery leads in median household income ($105,240 vs $54,561). Columbus leads in average commute (20.2 min vs 33.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Montgomery, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#370) | 75 (#518) |
| Population | 201,877 | 21,955 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $174,343 | $336,140 |
| Median Household Income | $54,561 | $105,240 |
| Average Commute | 20.2 min | 33.7 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 15 |
| Crime Level | 16.5 | 3.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 109 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.4 | D+1.5 |
C
76.2 Score
Columbus, GA
Growing Georgia city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$174,343
Population
201,877
Crime
High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Columbus, GA →
C
75 Score
Montgomery, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$336,140
Population
21,955
Crime
Low
Walk Score
15
Midwest
View Montgomery, IL →