Columbus OH vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 192,696 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 13.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 29.0% | 3.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 31.5% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $510,577 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Vancouver, 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 +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.2% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 41.6 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 Vancouver. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Vancouver 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%.
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