Living in Columbus, Ohio
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 914,802 residents with a median age of 33.2. The median household income is $66,082 (7% lower than the Ohio median), the median home value is $252,900, the median rent is $1,295/month.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 914,802
- Median age
- 33.2State: 39.7
- Median household income
- $66,082State: $71,389
- Median home value
- $252,900State: $214,800
- Median rent
- $1,295/moState: $1,034
- Homeowners
- 44.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38.2%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 7% lower than the Ohio median; home values 18% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 18.1%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Columbus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbus the median home value is $252,900, 24% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,295 per month, which is 28.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,599 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $66,082 and the income per person is $37,860. 18.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Ohio: 13.3%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 425,182
- Owner-occupied
- 44.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 55.9%
- Vacant
- 8.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 2.28
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 914,802
- Median age
- 33.2
- Under 18
- 22%
- 65 and older
- 11.3%
- Households
- 390,528
- Foreign-born
- 15%
- Veterans
- 4.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
38.2% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Ohio: 31.5%), and 14.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%State: 4.8%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 18.3%
- Drive alone
- 67.7%
- Public transit
- 1.9%
- Walk to work
- 2.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.6%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 914,802 | $66,082 | $252,900 | $1,295 |
| Grandview Heights | 8,647 | $117,672 | $583,300 | $1,750 |
| Bexley | 13,114 | $157,841 | $527,800 | $1,268 |
| Marble Cliff | 850 | $136,500 | $815,500 | $1,193 |
| Valleyview | 742 | $58,125 | $159,300 | $1,441 |
| Upper Arlington | 36,293 | $155,167 | $595,600 | $1,588 |
| Whitehall | 20,019 | $51,759 | $159,600 | $1,145 |
| Gahanna | 35,486 | $109,061 | $350,900 | $1,466 |
| Minerva Park | 2,446 | $130,878 | $311,900 | $2,186 |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, OH?
The median household income in Columbus is $66,082, 7% lower than the Ohio median of $71,389 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $252,900, compared with $214,800 in Ohio.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $1,295 per month, about 28.8% of household income.
Is Columbus, OH a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 7% lower than the Ohio median; home values 18% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.1%; a poverty rate of 18.1%.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 33.2 years (Ohio: 39.7).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 22 minutes; 18.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 5.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
38.2% of adults in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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