Columbus, OH vs Houston, TX
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
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Columbus leads in school rating (6.8 vs 5.5). Columbus leads in average commute (23.1 min vs 28.5 min). Houston leads in walk score (48 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 72.1 (#926) |
| Population | 913,175 | 2,314,157 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $263,563 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $57,791 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 6.8 | 5.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+5.5 |
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-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →