Columbus OH vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 149,519 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 41.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 6.8% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 29.0% | 4.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 31.0% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $422,520 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 450 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2150 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.5% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 32.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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