Columbus OH vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 209,720 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 41.5% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $46,628 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $30,451 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 26.6% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 29.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 37.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 38.0% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.6% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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