Columbus, Ohio
Ohio's capital city on the rise
U.S. News (2025)
#33 Best Places to Live
Forbes (2024)
#14 Best Cities for Jobs
WhereAtHome Score
76.5
Cout of 100
Overview
Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest, driven by a diversified economy spanning education, healthcare, technology, and finance. The city offers a lower cost of living than coastal metros while providing strong job opportunities. Ohio State University anchors the community, and neighborhoods like German Village and Short North add character.
Key Highlights
- One of the fastest-growing Midwest metros
- Ohio State University - one of nation's largest campuses
- Diverse economy with Fortune 500 headquarters
- Lower cost of living than comparable cities
- Thriving arts scene in Short North district
- Strong startup and tech ecosystem
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Franklin County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
85°F
Winter Low
22°F
Annual Rainfall
40"
Sunny Days
178
Amenities & Infrastructure
400+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
12 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
5 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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