Columbus, OH vs El Centro, CA
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
El Centro
70
#1141 nationally
El Centro leads in walk score (51 vs 41). Columbus leads in cost of living index (93 vs 111). Columbus leads in median household income ($62,889 vs $54,922).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | El Centro, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 70 (#1141) |
| Population | 913,175 | 43,772 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $396,150 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $54,922 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 21.6 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 51 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 9.0 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 111 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | R+0.9 |
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-
70 Score
El Centro, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$396,150
Population
43,772
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View El Centro, CA →