Columbus OH vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 79,526 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 40.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 13.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 29.0% | 5.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.7% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $514,358 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1992 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.5% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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