Columbus OH vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 132,893 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 53.3% | 36.8% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $53,771 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $34,482 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.7% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 25.0% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 37.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $330,564 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 28.4% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 47.1 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
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, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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