Columbus OH vs Livonia MI — 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Livonia
8.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Livonia
3.7%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 94,058 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 45.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 8.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.7% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.5% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Livonia
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 40.5% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Livonia
$314,705
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $314,705 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Livonia
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Livonia
16.8%
Livonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.8% | Livonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Columbus +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Livonia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Livonia
25.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, 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 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA