Columbus, OH vs DeKalb, IL
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
DeKalb
71.1
#1018 nationally
Columbus leads in median household income ($62,889 vs $47,410). Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 38). Columbus leads in cost of living index (93 vs 98).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | DeKalb, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 71.1 (#1018) |
| Population | 913,175 | 40,211 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $266,477 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $47,410 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 22.5 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 10.8 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+2.0 |
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-
71.1 Score
DeKalb, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$266,477
Population
40,211
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View DeKalb, IL →