Columbus OH vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.3% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 29.0% | 7.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.9% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 32.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $411,323 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PAColumbus, OH vs San Antonio, TX