Columbus OH vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
High Point
14.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 115,263 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 14.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 46.1% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
High Point
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $61,228 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $34,492 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 33.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $251,699 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
High Point
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Columbus, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 46.1 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, 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 398 in High Point. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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