Columbus OH vs Denver CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Denver
713,734
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Denver
13.9%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 713,734 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 29.0% | 8.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $541,899 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 25.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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