Columbus, Ohio
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Columbus.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Columbus?
Columbus planning snapshot: population 933,263, housing index 84 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog), median home $234,500, median rent $1,224, and income near $65,327. Expect 84°F summer highs, 25°F winter lows, and about 23-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 503.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 84U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $234,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,224U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $65,327U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 503.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 84°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Columbus compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 933,263City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $65,327Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year17% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 84ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year16% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $234,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year23% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,224City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year9% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 419% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 503.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)14% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3308annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)7% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 84°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 25°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 41.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals26% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 224As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Columbus grew 18.0% from 790,943 in 2010 to 933,263 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Columbus expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Columbus runs 16 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 84 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $234,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,224 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Columbus?
Budget first around $1,224/month rent or $234,500 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $234,500
- Median rent $1,224/month
- Median household income $65,327
What is the job market like in Columbus?
Labor-market context for Columbus: unemployment 3.2% and median income $65,327. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $65,327
How long is the typical commute in Columbus?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Columbus. Walk Score estimates around 41 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 41/100
Is Columbus safer than similar U.S. cities?
Columbus's FBI-derived violent rate (~503.4/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 503.4 per 100k
- Property 3308 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Columbus?
Columbus's climate profile: 84°F summer peaks, 25°F winter mornings, 41.6" annual rainfall, and 224 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 84°F
- Winter low 25°F
- 41.6 in rain · 224 sunny days
Great Lakes industry towns and Midwestern seasons still set the tone. Expect summer highs near 84°F and winter lows around 25°F. Average one-way commute time is about 23 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 41/100. Labor-market readings near 3.2% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates near 503.4 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Relocators eyeing Columbus, Ohio will find roughly 933,263 residents within city limits. With median income around $65,327 and a cost index of 84, the market reads among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs. Budget for median rents around $1,224 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Columbus sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Columbus with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Columbus city, 1600000US3918000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Franklin County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014821 COLUMBUS PORT COLUMBUS INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10