Columbus OH vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 53.3% | 35.5% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 22.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $62,894 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 19.7% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 36.0% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $265,062 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 42.0% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 38.0% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 24.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 48.7 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 29.6 min | Columbus + |
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 442 in Houston. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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