Columbus, IN vs Phoenix, AZ
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
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Columbus leads in average commute (18.1 min vs 26.7 min). Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 29). Columbus leads in median household income ($75,114 vs $65,891).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, IN | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 81.7 (#37) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 51,522 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,533 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $75,114 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 18.1 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 0.4 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+27.3 | R+3.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →