Columbus OH vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 44,998 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 57.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 53.3% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.2% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $503,393 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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