Columbus 78 Exceptional
Columbus Livability #79 ranked city in Wisconsin#2,105 ranked city in the USARanks better than 92% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Columbus

PROS
  • 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.

  • Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • 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
  • Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

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What's it like Living in Columbus?

Columbus is a small-sized city located in the state of Wisconsin. The city has a population of 5,076 people. According to the most recent Census, 95% of Columbus residents are White, 3% Asian and 1% Black. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Columbus, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 27 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Columbus is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Wisconsin, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Columbus, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, employment, housing and more.

Using data and statistics Columbus has received a livability score of 77 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 91st percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Columbus is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Columbus is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Columbus ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (B+), employment (A-) and housing (A) Regrettably for Columbus, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Columbus shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 0 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

The Columbus unemployment rate of 0.94% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Columbus is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Columbus come in at $169,700, which is 1.6% higher than the Wisconsin average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Columbus, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 16.1% lower than the Wisconsin 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, WI Livability

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      Columbus transportation information

      Statistic Columbus Wisconsin National
      Average one way commute27min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.1%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.8%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%1.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%3.3%2.8%
      Working from home14.0%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Columbus, WI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).