Austin TX vs Columbus OH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Columbus
906,480
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Columbus
14.4%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Columbus
5.8%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 906,480 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 14.4% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 53.3% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.8% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 7.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $65,327 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $37,189 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,300 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 17.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 38.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 44.3% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.8% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.2% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 40.2 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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