Columbus OH vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 75,721 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 53.3% | 48.7% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 6.8% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $765,686 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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