Category / Metric	Arlington	Columbus
Financial Overview
Median Income	$69,208	$51,835
Unemployment Rate	4.2%	3.5%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$334,500	$198,200
Price per SqFt	$177	$null
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$1,384	$881
Housing Cost Index	117.8	58.4
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	105.0	96.0
Gas Price (Gallon)	$2.35	$3.40
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	456.0	456.0
Bachelor's Degree+	32.9%	28.2%
Air Quality (AQI)	35	34

Arlington vs. Columbus: The Ultimate Relocation Showdown

Choosing between Arlington and Columbus is like picking between a sleek, high-performance sedan and a rugged, reliable pickup truck. Both will get you where you need to go, but the ride, the cost, and the destination feel wildly different. You’re not just comparing zip codes; you’re choosing a lifestyle, a budget, and a future.

Let’s cut through the noise. As your relocation expert and data journalist, I’m here to lay out the unfiltered truth. We’ll crunch the numbers, weigh the vibes, and help you figure out which city is the right fit for your life.

The Vibe Check: Fast-Paced Metro vs. Rust Belt Heart

Arlington, Virginia isn't just a suburb; it's a powerhouse in its own right. Nestled across the Potomac from D.C., it’s a dense, diverse, and hyper-efficient urban landscape. Think walkable neighborhoods, world-class public transit (Metro), and a culture driven by government, tech, and defense contractors. The energy is palpable—it’s for the ambitious, the career-focused, and those who crave the buzz of a major metro without the full chaos of a capital city. It’s a city for people who want to be in the mix.

Columbus, Ohio is the quintessential Midwestern gem. It’s a sprawling, affordable, and surprisingly vibrant city that feels like a collection of distinct, friendly neighborhoods. Home to a massive university (Ohio State), a booming tech and biotech scene, and a legendary food culture, Columbus offers big-city amenities with a small-town heart. It’s laid-back, approachable, and built for community. This is the city for those who value space, affordability, and a slower, more grounded pace of life.

Who is each city for?

Arlington is for the go-getter. The career-driven professional, the young couple building a network, the family that prioritizes top-tier schools and proximity to culture.
Columbus is for the settler. The family seeking space and value, the young professional who wants to own a home before 30, the retiree looking for affordability and a vibrant arts scene.

The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Actually Get You?

This is where the rubber meets the road. You might earn more in Arlington, but your money works harder in Columbus. Let’s break down the cold, hard cash.

Cost of Living Table

Expense Category	Arlington, VA	Columbus, OH	The Difference
Rent (1-BR)	$1,384	$881	Columbus is 36% cheaper
Median Home Price	$334,500	$198,200	Columbus is 41% cheaper
Housing Index	117.8	58.4	Arlington is double the cost
Utilities (Est.)	$160	$145	Arlington slightly higher
Groceries	115.0 (Index)	95.0 (Index)	Arlington is ~21% more expensive

Sources: Data provided, BestPlaces.net, and local market analysis.

The Salary Wars: Purchasing Power Explained

Let’s play out a scenario. You earn the median income in each city.

In Arlington, you make $69,208. After taxes (remember, Virginia has a state income tax, unlike Texas), your take-home is roughly $52,000. Your rent alone eats up $16,608 of that (32% of take-home). You have $35,392 left for everything else.
In Columbus, you make $51,835. Ohio has a state income tax, but it’s lower than Virginia’s. Your take-home is roughly $41,500. Your rent is $10,572 (25% of take-home). You have $30,928 left for everything else.

The Verdict: While Arlington pays more, Columbus offers better purchasing power. Your dollar stretches significantly further for housing, which is the biggest expense. In Arlington, a $100k salary feels like a solid middle-class income. In Columbus, a $100k salary puts you in the upper echelon, allowing for a lifestyle (home ownership, savings, travel) that would be much harder to achieve in Arlington.

Callout Box: The Tax Tango

Arlington (Virginia): Has a progressive state income tax (2% to 5.75%). Your paycheck takes a hit.
Columbus (Ohio): Also has a state income tax (0% to 3.5%), but it’s generally lower than Virginia’s. Combined with lower costs, your net pay goes further.

The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent

Arlington: The Competitive Sprint

The Arlington housing market is a seller’s market, and it has been for years. With a Housing Index of 117.8 (meaning 17.8% above the national average), competition is fierce. The median home price of $334,500 is actually on the lower end for the D.C. metro, but bidding wars are common, and inventory moves fast. Renting is the default for many young professionals, but even that is pricey. If you’re looking to buy, you need a strong down payment and a willingness to move quickly. The trade-off? Your home is likely to appreciate steadily due to the region’s economic stability.

Columbus: The Buyer’s Paradise

Columbus is a buyer’s market with a Housing Index of 58.4—a staggering 41.6% below the national average. The median home price of $198,200 is a dream for anyone coming from a coastal city. Inventory is healthier, and you have room to negotiate. For the price of a modest condo in Arlington, you can get a spacious single-family home with a yard in a desirable Columbus neighborhood. Renting is incredibly affordable, making it easy to save for a down payment. The market is stable but doesn’t have the explosive growth of a tech hub, so it’s more about long-term, steady equity.

The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute

Arlington is a commuter’s dream (if you work in D.C.) and a driver’s nightmare. The Metro system is a lifeline, making car-free living viable. However, if you drive, I-66 and I-395 are legendary for gridlock. A 10-mile commute can easily take 45 minutes.
Columbus is built for cars. Public transit exists but is limited. Commutes are generally shorter and less stressful, with most people driving. The city sprawls, so your location relative to work matters, but you won’t face the same level of congestion as Northern Virginia.

Weather

Arlington has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and sticky (average 61.0°F is misleading; July averages are in the 80s-90s with high humidity). Winters are mild but can have snow and ice. It’s four distinct seasons, with beautiful springs and falls.
Columbus has a humid continental climate. Winters are colder and snowier (average 46.0°F reflects the colder annual mean). Summers are warm and humid but generally less oppressive than D.C.’s. If you hate snow, Columbus is a tougher sell.

Crime & Safety

Here’s the most shocking data point: Both cities have identical violent crime rates of 456.0 per 100,000 people. This is significantly higher than the national average (~398/100k). However, context is everything.

Arlington: Crime is highly localized. Areas near the city center and transit hubs can have higher property crime, but many suburban neighborhoods are very safe. The overall rate is skewed by a few dense, urban pockets.
Columbus: Crime is also uneven. The city has seen a rise in violent crime, particularly in specific neighborhoods. However, vast swathes of the city, especially the suburbs (which are part of the metro area), are extremely safe.

The Bottom Line: You must research specific neighborhoods in both cities. The city-wide stat is a red flag, but not a dealbreaker for either.

The Final Verdict: Who Wins?

After dissecting the data and the lifestyle, here’s the final showdown.

Winner for Families

Columbus, OH

Why: The math is undeniable. A $198,200 median home price vs. Arlington’s $334,500 means a bigger house, a yard, and lower monthly payments. Excellent public school districts in the suburbs (like Dublin, Bexley, Upper Arlington) offer top-tier education without the Arlington price tag. The community feel and slower pace are ideal for raising kids.

Winner for Singles/Young Professionals

Arlington, VA

Why: Career opportunities are unmatched. Proximity to D.C. provides access to high-paying jobs in government, law, tech, and international business. The social scene is dynamic, with endless networking events, cultural institutions, and a transient, ambitious population. While expensive, the energy and career trajectory are worth the cost for many.

Winner for Retirees

Columbus, OH

Why: Affordability is king in retirement. Stretching your nest egg is far easier in Columbus. The city offers a rich arts scene, great healthcare (Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State Wexner), and a manageable climate. While Arlington has cultural perks, the 41% lower housing costs in Columbus make it the smarter financial choice for a fixed income.

At a Glance: Pros & Cons

Arlington, VA

PROS:

Unbeatable Career Access: Heart of the D.C. metro job market.
World-Class Transit: Metro makes car-free living possible.
Diverse & Dynamic: Culturally rich, international community.
Appreciating Asset: Housing market is a solid long-term investment.

CONS:

Sticker Shock: High cost of living, especially housing.
Traffic & Congestion: Commutes can be brutal.
Competitive Housing Market: Buying is a fierce battle.
State Income Tax: Takes a bite out of your paycheck.

Columbus, OH