Columbus 81 Exceptional
Columbus Livability #82 ranked city in Ohio#1,261 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Columbus

PROS
  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Columbus?

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.

Best Places to Live in and Around Columbus

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Columbus?

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Compare Columbus, OH Livability

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      Columbus transportation information

      Statistic Columbus Ohio National
      Average one way commute22min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.7%83.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.6%7.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.8%1.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.0%2.3%2.8%
      Working from home7.4%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Columbus, OH data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).