Columbus, OH vs Fairfax, VA
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
Fairfax
70.4
#1102 nationally
Fairfax leads in median household income ($128,708 vs $62,889). Columbus leads in cost of living index (93 vs 160). Fairfax leads in walk score (54 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fairfax, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 70.4 (#1102) |
| Population | 913,175 | 25,144 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $787,568 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $128,708 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 2.5 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+35.0 |
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-
70.4 Score
Fairfax, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$787,568
Population
25,144
Crime
Low
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Fairfax, VA →