Columbus OH vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 119,508 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 40.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 53.3% | 44.0% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 37.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $399,650 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 62.3 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.0 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 West Palm Beach. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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