Columbus OH vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Warren
138,128
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Warren
13.7%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Warren
20.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 138,128 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 13.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 60.8% | Warren + |
| Black | 29.0% | 20.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 2.8% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Warren
$63,741
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Warren
$32,162
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Warren
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $63,741 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $32,162 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,052 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 20.4% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $200,632 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Warren
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 471 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Warren
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Warren
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Warren
15.7%
Warren +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Warren
18.0%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.1% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.5% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.7% | Warren + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.0% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Warren, MI | 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
Columbus +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Warren
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbus + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.9 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Warren. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Columbus has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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