Columbus, OH vs Rochester, NY
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
Rochester
71.9
#953 nationally
Columbus leads in school rating (6.8 vs 4.2). Columbus leads in median household income ($62,889 vs $42,124). Rochester leads in walk score (59 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 71.9 (#953) |
| Population | 913,175 | 211,328 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $249,152 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $42,124 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 59 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | High |
| School Rating | 6.8 | 4.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+19.1 |
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-
71.9 Score
Rochester, NY
Flour City innovation hub
Median Home
$249,152
Population
211,328
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Northeast
View Rochester, NY →
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