Columbus OH vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 229,021 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 53.3% | 53.1% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $802,780 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 37.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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