Columbus, IN vs Los Altos, CA
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
81.7
#37 nationally
Los Altos
67.9
#1370 nationally
Columbus leads in crime level (0.4 vs 2.1). Los Altos leads in median household income ($250,001 vs $75,114). Los Altos leads in walk score (46 vs 29).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, IN | Los Altos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 81.7 (#37) | 67.9 (#1370) |
| Population | 51,522 | 29,990 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,533 | $4,601,729 |
| Median Household Income | $75,114 | $250,001 |
| Average Commute | 18.1 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 0.4 | 2.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | N/A |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+27.3 | D+40.0 |
B-
81.7 Score
Columbus, IN
Indiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$281,533
Population
51,522
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
29
Midwest
View Columbus, IN →
D+
67.9 Score
Los Altos, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$4,601,729
Population
29,990
Crime
Low
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Los Altos, CA →
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