Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee, and Columbus, Georgia, offer distinctively Southern experiences that appeal to tourists and potential residents alike. Nashville is renowned for its legacy in music and Columbus for its rich military history. Comparatively, both cities have much to offer in terms of culture, economy, and overall quality of life. Columbus would attract those who favor a smaller city experience and lower cost of living while Nashville would allure those looking for a thriving economy, vibrant social life, and rich arts culture.
Nashville-Davidson generally has a higher crime rate compared to Columbus, GA. Like any city, crime rates can vary by neighborhood but overall, Nashville has some areas with higher crime rates and it's something prospective residents and travelers must consider. Columbus, on the other hand, boasts a slightly lower crime rate, making it a relatively safer city to live in or visit.
Cost of Living
In comparison to Columbus, Nashville tends to have a higher cost of living. This is reflected in housing costs, grocery prices, and overall consumer prices. While Columbus presents a lower cost of living, Nashville offers a higher salary which tends to offset the increased cost.
Income Tax
Nashville residents enjoy the advantage of Tennessee's lack of a state income tax. Conversely, Georgia state, where Columbus is located, does levy income tax, though it has a series of progressive tax brackets.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Nashville tend to be lower than the national average, which is a plus for potential homeowners. The property tax in Columbus is comparable, making property ownership a feasible decision in both cities.
Sales Tax
Tennessee has a higher sales tax than Georgia, but it does not have a state income tax which can balance out the overall tax burden for some. Georgia does impose a state income tax which is a factor for residents to consider.
Income
Type
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Estimated median household income
$64,857
$52,817
Estimated per capita income
$42,268
$29,689
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
90.9
86.8
If you make $50,000 in Columbus, you will have to make $52,362 in Nashville-Davidson to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Nashville is located in the heart of Middle Tennessee, known for its rolling hills and home to several beautiful parks. Columbus is situated along the Chattahoochee River, offering opportunities for river walks and outdoor activities.
Both cities offer a range of educational opportunities. Nashville is home to several universities, including the highly esteemed Vanderbilt University. Columbus also hosts some well-regarded colleges, including Columbus State University. However, in terms of public education, both cities have room for improvement, particularly when compared to the national average.
Nashville's economy is decidedly more diversified and dynamic than Columbus's. The city is known as a hub for the healthcare industry, as well as music and entertainment. Columbus, on the other hand, has an economy centered around the military with Fort Benning being nearby.
Biggest Employers
In Nashville, some of the biggest employers include Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nissan North America, and HCA Healthcare. Conversely, in Columbus, the biggest employers would include Fort Benning, TSYS, and Aflac.
There were 3,932 building permits issued in Nashville-Davidson in 2012 (2854 more than in 2011) compared to 296 building permits issued in Columbus in 2012 (79 more than in 2011).
In Nashville-Davidson (Davidson County), 58.5% voted for Democrats and 39.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Columbus (Muscogee County), 60.3% voted for Democrats and 39.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
2020
65.0%
61.4%
32.6%
37.4%
2.3%
1.2%
2016
60.1%
57.4%
34.1%
38.9%
5.7%
3.7%
2012
58.5%
60.3%
39.9%
39.0%
1.6%
0.7%
2008
60.0%
59.7%
39.0%
40.0%
1.0%
0.4%
2004
54.9%
51.4%
44.6%
48.2%
0.4%
0.4%
2000
57.9%
54.3%
40.4%
45.2%
1.7%
0.5%
1996
79.3%
53.8%
18.1%
41.9%
2.6%
4.4%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
14.1%
22.8%
19.6%
16.6%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
4.9%
4.6%
2.3%
1.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.5%
0.6%
1.8%
1.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
1.1%
0.5%
1.7%
0.8%
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
1.0%
0.0%
0.5%
0.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.8%
1.2%
1.4%
1.2%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.8%
0.2%
0.9%
1.2%
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.0%
1.3%
0.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.5%
0.3%
0.8%
Weather
Both cities have a humid subtropical climate. Nashville experiences a mix of hot summers and moderate winters, while Columbus tends to be a bit milder with shorter and less severe winters. Both cities do have the potential for severe storms, particularly during spring and summer.
Weather and climate
Type
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Temperature - Average
58.5°F
65.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.9%
74.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
38%
42%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
51%
47%
Precipitation - Yearly average
49 in
48.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
17.8 in
1 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.1%
18.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
59.7%
66.5%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
23%
17.4%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
65%
68%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
42%
50.6%
Wind speed - Average
7.7 mph
6.6 mph
Average climate in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
Average climate in Columbus, Georgia
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Nashville-Davidson
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
2018
71
61
0.40
N/A
13.8
N/A
24.1
28.3
N/A
N/A
15.2
N/A
9.2
6.8
0.2
N/A
2017
70
71
0.38
N/A
14.4
N/A
26.8
28.8
N/A
N/A
15.3
N/A
8.7
8.4
0.1
N/A
2016
90
76
0.42
N/A
16.1
N/A
26.4
30.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.1
8.1
0.0
N/A
2015
68
70
0.43
N/A
15.5
N/A
23.6
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.8
8.1
0.1
N/A
2014
66
78
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.3
28.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.8
9.2
1.4
N/A
2013
62
72
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
8.4
N/A
N/A
2012
81
79
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
28.3
30.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
9.5
2.3
1.1
2011
81
86
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.9
32.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
11.6
1.7
1.2
2010
80
81
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.3
31.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
10.9
2.2
1.2
2009
72
75
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.5
28.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.5
10.0
2.4
1.3
2008
81
81
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.7
33.2
N/A
0.004
N/A
N/A
13.4
11.7
2.5
1.7
2007
99
103
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
27.4
35.7
N/A
0.004
N/A
N/A
15.5
14.8
2.7
N/A
2006
93
99
0.69
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.9
34.6
N/A
0.004
N/A
N/A
14.9
14.1
2.9
N/A
2005
104
104
0.56
N/A
N/A
N/A
23.5
30.6
N/A
0.004
N/A
N/A
16.9
13.3
3.1
2.0
2004
83
94
0.61
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.0
28.9
0.006
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.3
2.6
N/A
2003
93
84
0.67
N/A
N/A
N/A
18.5
26.9
0.005
0.004
N/A
N/A
15.8
N/A
3.8
N/A
2002
92
62
0.67
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.2
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.3
N/A
4.3
1.9
2001
95
88
0.89
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.5
30.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.6
N/A
4.5
N/A
2000
97
110
0.74
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.8
34.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
169.1%
137.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
296.1%
132.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
17%
7%
Transportation
Nashville's public transportation system, while underdeveloped in comparison to larger cities, has made efforts to improve. Columbus's public transit is very limited, making a car almost necessary. Both cities face commuting challenges, but Nashville offers more alternative transportation options.
Transport
Type
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
0
85
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Bicycle
0.3%
0.1%
Bus
1.2%
1.1%
Carpooled
9.8%
14.6%
Car alone
85.5%
75.5%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.3%
Walked
1.8%
4.7%
Average travel time to work
Type
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Average
31.3 min
20.5 min
Real Estate
With Nashville's increasing popularity and growth, real estate prices have seen a significant increase. In contrast, Columbus's real estate market remains more affordable, with lower average house prices.
Neighborhoods
Nashville is known for its vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, each with its own character. East Nashville is popular for its music and food scene, while Belle Meade is known for its opulence. In contrast, Columbus offers a mix of historic and newer neighborhoods, with the Historic District catering to both residents and tourists.
Houses and residents
Type
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
Houses
331,262
75,938
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.5
Houses occupied
305,247 (92.1%)
69,597 (91.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
162,426 (53.2%)
39,266 (56.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
142,821 (46.8%)
30,331 (43.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,391
$599.09
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$221,129
$61,168
Estimated median house or condo value
$346,700
$171,106
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.6
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
699.9
351.4
Household income disparities
45.4%
46.6%
Housing units without a mortgage
3,189 (2.8%)
9,803 (27%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,988 (9.6%)
91 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
110,850 (97.2%)
26,511 (73%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
333 (0.3%)
2,477 (6.8%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,192 (11.6%)
3,939 (10.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.3%
0.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
31,952
3,992
State government workers
15,693
3,806
Unpaid family workers
463
211
Industries and Occupations
In Nashville, the healthcare industry dominates, with numerous hospitals and health tech companies. In Columbus, the main industries are military, education, and manufacturing, all of which offer a variety of employment opportunities.
Nashville boasts superior healthcare facilities, including top-ranked Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Columbus also offers a good healthcare system, served by Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and St. Francis Hospital.
Nashville has experienced significant growth in recent years, fostering a substantial investment in infrastructure. Columbus, while not growing as quickly, has nevertheless maintained a steady level of infrastructure development, particularly in the burgeoning downtown area.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Nashville-Davidson
Columbus
1999
2,397
906
2000
1,451
767
2001
1,130
618
2002
1,075
304
2003
2,231
334
2004
2,731
431
2005
3,231
550
2006
3,720
565
2007
2,419
362
2008
952
132
2009
532
59
Culture and Food
Nashville is famously known as "Music City," with a lively music and arts scene. The food scenario is diverse, with Southern cuisine, particularly Hot Chicken, prominent. Columbus, while smaller, also offers a rich cultural heritage with a promising food scene, including classic southern BBQ.
Sports Teams
Sports fans will find Nashville more appealing, given its host of professional teams including the Tennessee Titans (NFL), Nashville Predators (NHL), and Nashville SC (MLS). Columbus, doesn't possess any major league teams but it does have a minor league baseball team, the Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots.
Nashville-Davidson, TN and 
Columbus, GA : 273.7 miles
Nashville-Davidson, TN and 
Columbus, GA : 273.7 miles
