Living in Columbus, OH, known as 'The Discovery City,' offers a unique blend of innovation and cultural diversity. Located in central Ohio, Columbus is a large city that serves as a major economic and cultural hub. Major nearby cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati enhance its status as a central point in the region. Columbus's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Columbus is home to several notable landmarks, including the Ohio Statehouse, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which is perfect for family outings, to the bustling North Market, which features a variety of local vendors. Columbus's dining scene is renowned for its innovative cuisine and diverse food options.
Annual events such as the Ohio State Fair and the Columbus Arts Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Columbus's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Major institutions like Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Columbus is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Wexner Center for the Arts and the Palace Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Columbus provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and theater, making it an exciting place to call home.
Columbus’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Blue Jackets (NHL) and the Crew (MLS), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Columbus include education, healthcare, and finance, with significant employers such as Nationwide Insurance and OhioHealth driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including COTA buses and a developing light rail system, making it easier for residents to navigate the city.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Located in the state of Ohio, Columbus is a big city with a population of 889,079 inhabitants. In Columbus, there are 4,039 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Columbus is mostly populated by White (57%) and Black or African American (29%) ethnic groups. Columbus tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 32 is far below the national average. In Columbus, only 41% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Columbus, Ohio. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, commute, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Columbus and in the areas around Columbus is a much easier task.
Columbus has a livability score of 79 out of 100 and is ranked #84 in Ohio and #1,397 in the USA. Based on this score, Columbus would be considered a very livable city! Another exciting tidbit, is that Columbus ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Columbus ranks well for amenities (A-), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) Unfortunately for Columbus, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F).
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Columbus, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Columbus undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Easton Town Center, Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Columbus excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Columbus. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Columbus are affordable. The median home price for Columbus homes is $160,000, which is 21.3% higher than the Ohio average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Columbus, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 11.5% higher than the Ohio average.
| Statistic | Columbus | Ohio | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.7% | 83.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.6% | 7.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.8% | 1.7% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.0% | 2.3% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 7.4% | 3.7% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Ohio
See the best places to live in Columbus
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Ohio
Most Dangerous Cities In The US