

Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Columbus, OH comes out ahead of San Francisco, CA on 25 of 41 statistics where one end is better, to 16. Columbus, OH leads on Economics. San Francisco, CA leads on Crime & Safety.
41 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 25
- Avg. percentile
- 54
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 16
- Avg. percentile
- 43
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 944,402 15th of 477 | 812,530 17th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $66,082 264th of 434 | $140,970 38th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $252,900 162nd of 434 | $1.39M 411th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 18.1% 301st of 434 | 11.2% 135th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.5 167th of 460 | 115.6 tied last of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $67,270 196th of 460 | $100,220 tied 10th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,295 192nd of 434 | $2,476 400th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 374.1 193rd of 395 | 486.2 250th of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- EconomicsColumbus, OH · 14 statistics
- Crime & SafetySan Francisco, CA · 5 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 93.6 tied 4th of 460 | 108.5 tied 441st of 460 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.5 167th of 460 | 115.6 tied last of 460 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 87.9 176th of 460 | 194.7 tied 438th of 460 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $252,900 162nd of 434 | $1.39M 411th of 434 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $66,082 264th of 434 | $140,970 38th of 434 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 21.5 169th of 434 | 30.4 390th of 434 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 98.9 tied 208th of 460 | 106.2 tied 435th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,295 192nd of 434 | $2,476 400th of 434 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $67,270 196th of 460 | $100,220 tied 10th of 460 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 18.1% 301st of 434 | 11.2% 135th of 434 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $51,340 181st of 460 | $74,260 tied 10th of 460 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 95.5 296th of 460 | 172.6 tied 439th of 460 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 8.9 309th of 395 | 3.4 195th of 395 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 38.2% 172nd of 434 | 60.3% 59th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 374.1 193rd of 395 | 486.2 250th of 395 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2,502.1 283rd of 395 | 2,932.4 317th of 395 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 480.5 341st of 395 | 374.1 314th of 395 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 382.1 313th of 395 | 465.5 340th of 395 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 93.6% 127th of 434 | 93.0% 150th of 434 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Columbus, OH or San Francisco, CA?
- Columbus, OH comes out ahead of San Francisco, CA on 25 of 41 statistics where one end is better, to 16. Columbus, OH leads on Economics. San Francisco, CA leads on Crime & Safety. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Columbus, OH or San Francisco, CA?
- Columbus, OH has a population of 944,402 (15th of 477 US cities) and San Francisco, CA has 812,530 (17th of 477).
- How do Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Columbus, OH $66,082 (264th of 434), San Francisco, CA $140,970 (38th of 434) among US cities. San Francisco, CA ranks better.
- How do Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Columbus, OH $252,900 (162nd of 434), San Francisco, CA $1.39M (411th of 434) among US cities. Columbus, OH ranks better.
- Where does Columbus, OH beat San Francisco, CA most clearly?
- Columbus, OH ranks far ahead on Price Level (Goods) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 93.6 vs 108.5; Price Level (All Items) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 95.5 vs 115.6; Price Level (Housing Rents) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 87.9 vs 194.7.
- Where does San Francisco, CA beat Columbus, OH most clearly?
- San Francisco, CA ranks far ahead on Median Household Income (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $140,970 vs $66,082; Average Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $100,220 vs $67,270; Poverty Rate (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 11.2% vs 18.1%.
More matchups
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