Columbus OH vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 14.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 48.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 7.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $62,917 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $32,983 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 28.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $251,035 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 34.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 24.5% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, 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 442 in San Antonio. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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