Columbus, OH vs Ruston, LA
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
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Columbus leads in median household income ($62,889 vs $32,877). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 23.1 min). Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 25).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 913,175 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 25 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.7 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | R+25.4 |
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-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →