Columbus, OH vs Raleigh, NC
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
Raleigh
71
#1035 nationally
Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 31). Raleigh leads in median household income ($82,424 vs $62,889). Columbus leads in cost of living index (93 vs 105).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 71 (#1035) |
| Population | 913,175 | 470,763 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $435,237 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $82,424 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 24.3 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 31 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 32.0 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | 7.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+25.6 |
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 Score
Raleigh, NC
Research Triangle innovation hub
Median Home
$435,237
Population
470,763
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Southeast
View Raleigh, NC →