Columbus, OH vs Forest Lake, MN
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
Forest Lake
71.7
#964 nationally
Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 18). Forest Lake leads in median household income ($91,157 vs $62,889). Columbus leads in cost of living index (93 vs 114).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Forest Lake, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 71.7 (#964) |
| Population | 913,175 | 20,685 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $432,441 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $91,157 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 26.9 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 18 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.3 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+8.9 |
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-
71.7 Score
Forest Lake, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$432,441
Population
20,685
Crime
Low
Walk Score
18
Midwest
View Forest Lake, MN →
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