Columbus OH vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Washington
13.3%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 672,079 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 13.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 39.1% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $580,173 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 41.1% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 24.0% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 32.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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