Columbus, OH vs Reading, PA
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
Reading
74.9
#536 nationally
Reading leads in walk score (72 vs 41). Columbus leads in median household income ($62,889 vs $42,852). Reading leads in cost of living index (88 vs 93).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Reading, PA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 74.9 (#536) |
| Population | 913,175 | 94,903 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $268,328 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $42,852 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 24.3 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 72 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 9.2 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | R+12.2 |
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
74.9 Score
Reading, PA
Pennsylvania community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$268,328
Population
94,903
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
72
Northeast
View Reading, PA →