Columbus OH vs Fresno CA — 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Fresno
543,615
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 543,615 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 53.3% | 38.0% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $31,012 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 20.9% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 24.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $391,442 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 49.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.1% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Fresno
23.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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