Columbus, IN vs Houston, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Columbus
81.7
#37 nationally
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Houston leads in walk score (48 vs 29). Columbus leads in average commute (18.1 min vs 28.5 min). Columbus leads in median household income ($75,114 vs $57,791).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, IN | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 81.7 (#37) | 72.1 (#926) |
| Population | 51,522 | 2,314,157 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,533 | $263,563 |
| Median Household Income | $75,114 | $57,791 |
| Average Commute | 18.1 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 0.4 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+27.3 | D+5.5 |
B-
81.7 Score
Columbus, IN
Indiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$281,533
Population
51,522
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
29
Midwest
View Columbus, IN →
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →