Columbus, OH vs Helena, AL
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
Helena
74.5
#582 nationally
Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 12). Helena leads in median household income ($107,360 vs $62,889). Columbus leads in average commute (23.1 min vs 30.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Helena, AL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 74.5 (#582) |
| Population | 913,175 | 22,117 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $367,018 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $107,360 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 30.4 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 12 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 2.0 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 101 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | R+40.8 |
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
74.5 Score
Helena, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$367,018
Population
22,117
Crime
Low
Walk Score
12
Southeast
View Helena, AL →