Columbus OH vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 470,763 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 13.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 29.0% | 27.5% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.7% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $435,807 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 46.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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