Columbus OH vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Orem
10.5%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 86,973 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 10.5% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $33,579 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 25.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $509,396 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1931 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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