Columbus OH vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 268,959 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 53.3% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 29.0% | 3.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 35.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $570,934 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 460 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2417 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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