Columbus OH vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 524,802 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 53.3% | 36.8% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 12.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.2% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 36.4% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $480,548 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.0 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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