Columbus OH vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 393,389 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 53.3% | 51.8% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 21.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $376,530 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 46.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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