Columbus OH vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 209,529 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 39.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 53.3% | 38.0% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 17.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 35.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $685,544 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.4% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 37.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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