Columbus OH vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 186,178 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 39.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 53.3% | 43.6% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $58,874 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $35,069 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 9.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 23.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $407,146 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 41.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 460 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2417 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.2% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.7% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 19.6% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.6 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 460 in North Las Vegas. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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