Columbus OH vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 220,482 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 12.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 29.0% | 10.5% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 33.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $496,966 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3409 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.3% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 31.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA