Rows tagged local are specific to Columbus (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Columbus, OH. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district 3904380 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
94.6
metro-area
#88 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
94.1
metro-area
#37 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.38
metro-area
#88 of 200
Median household income
$62,994
local
#73 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$40,115
local
#46 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.21%
local
#34 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+5.9%
local
#70 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$212,500
local
#94 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.4×
local
#75 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+1.2%
metro-area
#106 of 200
Price per square foot
$129
local
#118 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,650 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,161
local
#84 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
5,572
Median days on market
5
metro-area
#1 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.0%
state
#97 of 200
Combined sales tax
7.24%
state
#91 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
3.90%
Capital gains tax
3.50%
state
#62 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.43%
local
#143 of 200
Median property tax paid
$3,041
local
#145 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#32 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
14
Avg commute to work
22 min
local
#92 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
19.5¢/kWh
state
#130 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$175
state
#130 of 200
Gasoline
$3.25/gal
state
#83 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$104
state
#101 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#9 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
54
metro-area
#168 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
800
metro-area
#49 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200
Avg summer high
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200
Avg winter low
20°F
metro-area
#147 of 200
Annual precipitation
41.6"
metro-area
#94 of 200
Annual snowfall
28.2"
metro-area
#141 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
50%
metro-area
#175 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
300
state
#28 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,800
state
#52 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
89
metro-area
#88 of 200
Parks
69
Hiking areas
11
Golf courses
22
Shooting ranges
8
Lakes
12
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.