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Do you need key information to make it easier to decide if moving to Columbus Ohio is right for you?

Known for its vibrant tech industry and innovative arts scene, Columbus is constantly attracting people of all cultures and lifestyles across the country and beyond.

As a melting culture, the Arch City is appealing to millennials and people of all ages. If you love festivals, sports, and several other similar activities, moving to Columbus is right for you.

If you’re considering moving to Columbus and wondering if the city is right for you, this guide contains all the key information you need to know to make the right decision.

Let’s jump right in!

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before moving to Columbus, OH

  • Columbus costs of living is lower than the U.S. average
  • On average, Columbus gets 178 sunny days per year
  • More than 50% of Columbus residents are homeowners
  • Columbus has a robust job market
  • Columbus is a cosmopolitan city and a melting pot of culture

What’s the population of Columbus?

Columbus' population is 913,921 people and it’s the county seat of Franklin County. The city stretches across 225 miles making it the largest city in Ohio and the 14th largest in the United States.

  • Columbus is currently growing at a rate of 0.85% annually
  • Its population has increased by 16.12% since the most recent census
  • Columbus has a population density of 4,169 people per square mile
  • Around 51.07% of Columbus population are female
  • 48.93% of Columbus population are males

How fast can you commute in Columbus, OH?

Columbus’s average one-way commute time takes 21.6 minutes. The national average is 26.4 minutes. If you’d like to spend less amount of time commuting, moving to Columbus will be a great idea. The following are the various ways people commute to work in Columbus:

  • Up to 80.0% of Columbus residents drive their own car alone
  • Around 8.3% of Columbus residents carpool with others
  • About 3.8% of Columbus residents work from home
  • Around 3.1% of Columbus residents take mass transit

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How is the weather like in Columbus, Ohio?

Columbus averages 178 sunny days per year. The U.S. average is 205 sunny days. If the weather is one of the key things to consider before making up your mind about moving to Columbus, the following are key stats about the city’s weather:

  • Columbus averages 40 inches of rain per year. The national average is 38 inches
  • Columbus gets 22 inches of snow per year. The U.S. average is 28 inches
  • On average, Columbus gets 130 days of precipitation per year
  • Columbus July summer high is around 85 degrees
  • Columbus January winter low is around 21 degrees
move to Columbus

Top 10 reasons to move to Columbus

Why should you consider moving to Columbus? There are several reasons why moving to Columbus is such a great idea.

We’ve made a list of the top ten reasons why people are moving to Columbus. Check out the list below:

  • Columbus has a low cost of living
  • Columbus has a robust job market
  • The public transport system in Columbus is top rated
  • There are lots of green spaces in Columbus
  • You’ll find lots of things to do in Columbus
  • Columbus is a cosmopolitan city and a melting pot of cultures
  • You’ll have easy access to top-quality education
  • You’ll enjoy various kinds of festivals in Columbus
  • If you love sports, welcome to Columbus
  • Shopping is always fun in Columbus
pros and cons of Phoenix

Pros & Cons of Living in Columbus, OH

You can easily figure out if moving to Columbus is right for you or not by taking a look at the pros and cons of living in the city.

To make it easier for you to get started, we’ve made a list of the various pros and cons of living in the city. Check them out below:

The pros
  • You’ll enjoy great tasty food
  • Columbus costs of living are lower than the national average
  • Columbus is a blend of city and nature
  • You’ll meet lots of super friendly people in Columbus
  • The city has a booming economy and a good job market
  • If you enjoy playing golf, you’ll find several golf courses in the city
  • Columbus is a cosmopolitan city and a melting pot of culture
  • It’s one of the best cities for sport fans
  • You’ll have easy access to top-quality education in Columbus
  • If you love beer, breweries are all over the place in Columbus
The cons
  • You’ll have to put up with terrible traffic and drivers
  • Buying a home isn’t so easy in Columbus
  • The weather can be really harsh in Columbus
  • You’ll have to put up with high property taxes in Columbus
  • Fine dining can be a problem in Columbus
  • The effect of urban sprawl is reflected on their air quality
  • You’ll have to put up with a large football crowd
  • The landscape is flat. No mountains or beaches
  • Domestic flights to and from the local airport can be expensive
  • Some areas of urban decay are plagued with high crime rates

Best neighborhoods to live in Columbus, OH

If you’re moving to Columbus, you’ll be interested in living in the best neighborhood in the city. Some of the key things you’ll have to consider before settling for any neighborhood include population, home value, median income and crime rate.

We’ve made a list of the ten best neighborhoods to live in the city if you’re moving to Columbus, Ohio.

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Upper Arlington 43,520 $335,316 $102,607
2 Victorian Village 3,989 $264,575 $69,438
3 Harrison West 1,347 $254,550 $79,066
4 Bexley 13,485 $337,683 $114,868
5 Clintonville 30,675 $209,483 $76,688
6 Southside 5,487 $271,671 $75,000
7 Worthington 14,074 $235,220 $87,419
8 Brewery 1,967 $331,050 $75,120
9 Northwest 79,502 $176,663 $71,352
10 Rocky-Fork Blacklick Accord 8,709 $186,386 $80,400

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Cost of living in Columbus, OH

Will you end up spending a lot less or more by moving to Columbus?

Columbus cost of living is 85.5. The United States average is 100. That means the average cost of living in Columbus is lower than the national average. The following is a breakdown of the key costs of living in the city since you’re considering moving to Columbus:

Living Expense Columbus Ohio National Average
Overall 90 91 100
Services 100 100 100
Grocery 99 98 100
Health 87 96 100
Housing 77 73 100
Utilities 88 91 100
Transportation 93 102 100

How is the job market in Columbus?

How soon can you get a job after moving to Columbus, Ohio?

The city has a vibrant job market and getting a job is fairly easy. Despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, Columbus still has a robust job market. Since you’re mulling over moving to Columbus, here’s a breakdown of the city’s job market:

  • Columbus’s unemployment rate is 5.7%. The national average is 6.0%
  • Job growth in Columbus has been positive so far
  • Over the past year, the number of Columbus jobs have grown by 0.9%

The following are key metrics of the Columbus job market:

Employment Information Columbus, Ohio United States
The income per Cap $26,778 $31,177
Household Income $49,478 $57,652
Unemployment Rate 5.7 6.0%
Recent Job Growth -3.47% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 34.18% 33.51%

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Top career options in Columbus

The top career options in Columbus are also the highest-paying jobs in the city. Since you’re considering moving to Columbus, here are the top career options to look out for:

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1 Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists $271,990 $141,010 350
2 Obstetricians and Gynecologists $246,360 $165,030 180
3 Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric $225,600 $72,990 1,850
4 Psychiatrists $221,360 $151,400 90
5 Nurse Anesthetists $207,930 $146,760 600
6 Family Medicine Physicians $193,390 $116,110 280
7 Dentists, General $191,900 $80,900 580
8 General Internal Medicine Physicians $183,510 $60,780 440
9 Chief Executives $182,350 $47,240 1,300
10 Marketing Managers $152,100 $85,440 1,610

What’s the average salary in Columbus?

If you’re interested in getting a job after moving to Columbus, or perhaps you’re interested in the average pay in the state, we have key stats about such data. The following are the various hourly, weekly, and monthly payments in the city:

  • The average annual pay for average jobs in Columbus is $65,373 a year
  • The average hourly pays for average jobs in Columbus is $31.43 an hour
  • The average weekly pay for average jobs in Columbus is $1,257 per week
  • The average monthly pay for average jobs in Columbus is $5,448
  • Ohio’s minimum wage is $8.80 (large) $7.25 (small)

Top industries in Columbus

Columbus is home to several leading industries in Ohio and the United States. These various industries are known for powering the city and state’s economy. Moving to Columbus means you’ll get the chance to be a part of these industries. Check them out:

  • Education
  • Insurance
  • Banking
  • Fashion
  • Defense
  • Aviation
  • Food
  • Logistics
  • Steel
  • Energy
  • Medical Research
  • Health Care
  • Hospitality
  • Retail
  • Technology

Columbus housing market

More than 50% of Columbus residents are homeowners. You may decide to buy or rent a home if you’re moving to Columbus. The city has a robust housing market. To make it easier for you to get started, we’ve collated key stats about the city’s housing market.

Let’s take a look since you’re considering moving to Columbus:

  • Columbus median home cost is $205,800
  • Over the last 10 years home values in the city have risen by 90.7%
  • Currently, home values in Columbus are up by 17.2%
  • More than 50% of Columbus residents are homeowners
  • Up to 2.7% of homes and apartments in Columbus are available to rent

What’s the average cost of renting a home in Columbus?

Thinking of renting a home or an apartment after moving to Columbus? How much should you budget for your rent? Here’s a quick summary of the various costs of renting homes and apartments in Columbus, Ohio:

  • The average cost of a studio apartment in Columbus, Ohio is $664
  • The average costs of a 1-bedroom home or apartment in Columbus is $754
  • The average costs of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in Columbus is $938
  • The average costs of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Columbus is $1,165
  • The average costs of a 4-bedroom home or apartment in Columbus is $1,297

How are the taxes like in Columbus, Ohio?

Columbus is the largest city in Ohio and the state’s tax rates also apply to the city.

If you’re moving to Columbus from out of state, you’ll have to get familiar with the new taxes. The following are the key taxes in Ohio:

  • Ohio’s income tax is 0% - 4.797%
  • The local income tax in Ohio is 0% - 3%
  • The sales tax in Ohio is 6.5% - 8%
  • The property tax in Ohio is 1.48% average effective rate
  • Ohio’s gas tax is 38.50 cents per gallon of regular gasoline
  • Per gallon of regular diesel, Ohio’s gas tax is 47.00 cents

Best things to do in Columbus, OH

There are no dull moments in Columbus, Ohio. Discovery City is known for its vibrant and entertainment appeal that makes it attractive.

If you’re wondering about the best things to do after moving to Columbus Ohio, we’ve shared some ideas here to make it easier for you to fill up your bucket list:

  • Walk around the German Village
  • See a show at the Columbus Civic Theater
  • Explore the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
  • Grab a bite to eat at the North Market
  • Take the Lazarus Building’s rooftop garden tour
  • Smell the roses at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Go to Villa Nova’s happy hour
  • Bike the Olentangy Greenway Trail
  • Attend a game at Ohio Stadium
  • Find your way into Otherworld
  • Enjoy the vibe at Short North
  • Check out the museums

How safe is Columbus, OH?

Before making up your mind about moving to Columbus, you’ll most likely be interested in the city’s crime rates. Compared to similar large-size cities across the country, both property and violent crime rates in Columbus are lower.

  • The violent crime rate in Columbus is rated 29.0. The national average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in Columbus is rated 57.1. The national average is 35.4
  • Residents have a 1 in 198.7 chance of being a victim of violent crime
  • Columbus residents have a 1 in 30.2 chance of being a victim of property crime

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How does Columbus' crime compare to the rest of Ohio and the U.S.?

Here’s how crime rates in Columbus compare to the rest of Ohio and the entire United States:

Statistic Count Raw Columbus/ 100k People Ohio/ 100k People National/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 34,535 3,811.3 2,348.9 2,476.7
Murder 81 8.9 4.6 5.0
Robbery 1,810 199.8 75.7 81.6
Aggravated Assault 1,788 197.3 163.9 250.2
Violent Crime 4,561 503.4 293.2 366.7
Burglary 5,809 641.1 375.5 340.5
Larceny 20,606 2,274.1 1,520.4 1,549.5
Car Theft 3,559 392.8 159.7 219.9
Property Crime 29,974 3,308.0 2,055.7 2,109.9

Best Schools & Universities in Columbus, OH

Columbus is one of the best cities for top-quality education in Ohio.

Moving to Columbus gets you easier access to some of the best schools in the state. We’ve made a list of the best universities, colleges, and other schools to make it easier for you to make the right choice if you’re moving to Columbus. Check out the list below:

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