Columbus OH vs Rancho Cucamonga 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 174,693 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 53.3% | 44.0% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 37.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $791,317 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, 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%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 34.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 Rancho Cucamonga. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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