Columbus, OH vs Decatur, IL
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
76.5
#341 nationally
Decatur
79.3
#132 nationally
Decatur leads in average commute (17.7 min vs 23.1 min). Columbus leads in median household income ($62,889 vs $49,039). Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 34).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Decatur, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 79.3 (#132) |
| Population | 913,175 | 68,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $107,169 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $49,039 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 17.7 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 34 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 16.5 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 85 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | R+18.9 |
C
76.5 Score
Columbus, OH
Ohio's capital city on the rise
Median Home
$248,686
Population
913,175
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Columbus, OH →
C+
79.3 Score
Decatur, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$107,169
Population
68,670
Crime
High
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View Decatur, IL →