Columbus OH vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Memphis
629,063
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 629,063 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 7.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 25.0% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.7% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $51,211 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $32,314 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 22.5% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 28.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.0% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 42.1% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.6% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.7% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 54.9 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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