Columbus OH vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Louisville
627,210
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 627,210 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 9.8% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 29.0% | 23.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $64,731 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $52,606 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 33.4% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $264,957 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 43.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.2 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, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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