

Columbus, OH vs Detroit, MI
Columbus, OH comes out ahead of Detroit, MI on 32 of 44 statistics where one end is better, to 12. Columbus, OH leads on Crime & Safety and Economics.
44 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 32
- Avg. percentile
- 55
- Categories led
- 2
- Wins
- 12
- Avg. percentile
- 27
- Categories led
- 0
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Columbus, OH | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 944,402 15th of 477 | 650,499 25th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $66,082 264th of 434 | $39,938 426th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $252,900 162nd of 434 | $83,900 3rd of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 18.1% 301st of 434 | 32.7% 428th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.5 167th of 460 | 100.3 tied 256th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $67,270 196th of 460 | $69,210 tied 175th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,295 192nd of 434 | $1,074 109th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 374.1 193rd of 395 | 1,649.1 393rd of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetyColumbus, OH · 5 statistics
- EconomicsColumbus, OH · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Columbus, OH | Detroit, MI |
|---|---|---|
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 93.6% 127th of 434 | 85.7% 397th of 434 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 93.6 tied 4th of 460 | 98.8 tied 277th of 460 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 38.2% 172nd of 434 | 18.1% 400th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 374.1 193rd of 395 | 1,649.1 393rd of 395 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $66,082 264th of 434 | $39,938 426th of 434 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 98.9 tied 208th of 460 | 102.6 tied 381st of 460 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $252,900 162nd of 434 | $83,900 3rd of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 18.1% 301st of 434 | 32.7% 428th of 434 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 21.5 169th of 434 | 24.8 283rd of 434 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2,502.1 283rd of 395 | 3,882.2 362nd of 395 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.5 167th of 460 | 100.3 tied 256th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,295 192nd of 434 | $1,074 109th of 434 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 8.9 309th of 395 | 25.7 384th of 395 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 382.1 313th of 395 | 630.2 375th of 395 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 480.5 341st of 395 | 971.1 389th of 395 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.5 296th of 460 | 107.0 tied 343rd of 460 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $51,340 181st of 460 | $52,080 tied 138th of 460 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 87.9 176th of 460 | 94.7 tied 196th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $67,270 196th of 460 | $69,210 tied 175th of 460 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Columbus, OH or Detroit, MI?
- Columbus, OH comes out ahead of Detroit, MI on 32 of 44 statistics where one end is better, to 12. Columbus, OH leads on Crime & Safety and Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Columbus, OH or Detroit, MI?
- Columbus, OH has a population of 944,402 (15th of 477 US cities) and Detroit, MI has 650,499 (25th of 477).
- How do Columbus, OH and Detroit, MI compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Columbus, OH $66,082 (264th of 434), Detroit, MI $39,938 (426th of 434) among US cities. Columbus, OH ranks better.
- How do Columbus, OH and Detroit, MI compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Columbus, OH $252,900 (162nd of 434), Detroit, MI $83,900 (3rd of 434) among US cities. Detroit, MI ranks better.
- Where does Columbus, OH beat Detroit, MI most clearly?
- Columbus, OH ranks far ahead on Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 93.6% vs 85.7%; Price Level (Goods) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 93.6 vs 98.8; Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 38.2% vs 18.1%.
- Where does Detroit, MI beat Columbus, OH most clearly?
- Detroit, MI ranks far ahead on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $83,900 vs $252,900; Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $1,074 vs $1,295; Median Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $52,080 vs $51,340.
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