The Ultimate Guide to Moving to Columbus
Columbus, Ohio has a lower-than-average cost of living, tons of green space, eclectic food options, and history abound—but will this city be for you?
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Bellina Gaskey
Moving to Columbus, Ohio could be a great idea for young professionals, history buffs, nature lovers, and sports fans—but you’ll need to hold on to your car and purchase some scarlet-and-gray OSU apparel if you want an easier transition.
Columbus was made the capital city of Ohio in the early 1800s, around the same time German immigrants entered the area. You can experience that history firsthand in the iconic German Village or get to know the diverse Columbus of today in places like Short North or Downtown. The cost of living here is lower than the national average, the economy is relatively diversified, and residents are always ready for good food, good music, and a scenic promenade.
But if you’re turned off by a major university presence, outdoorsy types, or the need for a personal vehicle, Columbus may not be for you. Before hitting the road to the Midwest, be sure to consider your lifestyle preferences. Here’s the ultimate guide to moving to Columbus.
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What you need to know about Columbus before you move
Columbus occupies about 223 square miles of central Ohio and sports idyllic spots for nature lovers, history buffs, foodies, and sports fans alike. With over 900,000 residents, the city today is the most diverse it has ever been.
If you’re down with hipsters that have chicken coops, pet-friendly breweries, and Saturday college game days, you may want to consider Columbus for your next home.
1. It’s cheaper than the national average
Let’s start with one of the more weighted factors in deciding on a move—the cost of living. Happily, the cost of living in Columbus is lower than the national average and only just above the Ohio average.
Plan on your morning latte costing you $3.45, your after-work pint of beer running around $5.00, and that lunch break McDonald's meal being $8.75.
But for all the relatively inexpensive goods around the city of Columbus, it’s important to keep in mind that the current minimum wage is a measly $9.30 per hour, set only to increase to $10.10 by January 2023.
2. Outside of university employment, the economy is relatively diversified
It’s no secret that Ohio State University is a major player in the city’s economy and employment track, but that doesn’t mean it’s your only option for employment.
Many folks work in customer service, sales, retail, and administration, and other industries like finance and insurance, healthcare, and the automotive sector are also thriving.
If you lean toward the arts, Columbus has a bustling arts district, tons of museums, music venues, and other art-infused institutions.
3. Low crime rates when compared to other cities of its size
If you look up the crime rates of Columbus, Ohio, you’ll probably run into statistics and figures showing how much higher the crime rates are than the average across the country. But remember that bigger cities almost always rack up bigger crime statistics—because the population is bigger.
If we look at Columbus in reference to other cities of its size, it’s easier to see that its crime rates are actually nothing to write home about. That being said, crime still happens. You’ll still have an estimated six in 1,000 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime, most commonly armed robbery and assault. You’ll also have a 32 in 1,000 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime, namely personal theft and burglary.
Just be sure to brush up on safety practices for the city and maybe invest in some home security.
4. It’s a majorly pet-friendly community
If you’re someone who has a four-legged family member, this could be great news. On the other hand, those with severe allergies or a general aversion to fur may find the widespread pet acceptance in Columbus to be bothersome.
Many establishments, from hotels to breweries like
Sideswipe Brewing
and markets like Flint Station
, welcome pets on their grounds and will likely provide a bowl of water and some tasty treats. You can trot through the hundreds of acres of city greenspace, 20 Metroparks
with plenty of spaces for your fur baby, and loads of dog parks available. 5. Public transportation isn’t terrible but you’ll need a car
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) does have a decent bus system that can transport commuters through the major areas of the city and a direct line to the airport, so if you don’t have a very diversified stop list, you may not need a car.
A standard one-way ticket for the bus is $2, a day pass is $4.50, and a 31-day pass is $62—plus there’s a bike share program and a free Downtown Circulator for shorter trips.
However, Columbus is still very much a Midwestern city, and as such, is a car city. Unless you live and work and play in one well-connected area of the downtown, you won’t want to ditch your car just yet.
MORE: How bad is Columbus traffic?
6. Prepare for all four seasons—and maybe tornadoes
Being in central Ohio, Columbus doesn’t come in contact with oceanic hurricanes, dumps of lake-effect snow, or intensely stifling humidity—but it’s not uncommon to see tornadoes. Other than that, the weather in Columbus is hot and muggy in the summer, cold, snowy, and windy in the winter, and partly cloudy all year. If you like to experience a nice stay in all four seasons, Columbus can provide.
7. Try the food
Columbus is a diverse place with a lot of different tastes, and this shows in the food spots around the city. Eclectic styles come out in places like a renovated 100-year-old gas station that serves pancake balls for breakfast or brunch (
Katalina’s
), and a live piano and jazz music bakery (Motzart’s Bakery and Piano Cafe
). Try tastes from around the world at
Cafe Istanbul
and the iconic Schmidt’s Sausage Haus
. Or take your after hours at the rowdy, raunchy, burlesque Bossy Grrls
bar. There are many more options out in the Columbus streets with something for everyone, so give some new things a try!
Does Columbus live up to its stereotypes?
If any of the elements of Columbus living described above have you feeling more uncomfortable than excited, you may need to move on to a new locale. But if you’re itching for a place dripping with history, art, dogs, cool food spots, and Ohio State University fans all wrapped up in a relatively inexpensive bow, Columbus could make you very happy.
Many folks consider Columbus to be a small farm town—because kind of was all the way through the 1980s—but it has since blossomed into a large and unique city with residents that stroll the city sidewalks and quieter natural areas. (And they’ll do it with a smile, as long as you cheer for scarlet and gray.)
Key Takeaway Columbus has a low cost of living with pet-friendly, outdoorsy vibes, a major Ohio State University fanbase, and limited public transit.
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Finding a place to live in Columbus
If you decide you want to mesh in with the Columbusites, the first step will be to find a place to live. And it shouldn’t be too hard because the current real estate market is currently in a buyers’ market.
The average listing home price in October 2022 was $250,000, but the average sale price dropped to $235,000. You can find a one-bedroom apartment for $750-$820 a month, a two-bedroom for $930-$1,030 a month, or a family-accommodating four-bedroom apartment for $1,290 to $1,420.
Of course, those are just averages for the city and metropolitan area. Where exactly you set up shop will impact your monthly expenses. Franklin Park, for example, is one of the more affordable areas of Columbus, with an average monthly rent of $739. Plant your roots in Peach District or Weinland Park, though, and you’ll see costs closer to $1,915 a month.
If you need some recommendations on the right Columbus neighborhood for your priorities, jot these down for further research:
- Most iconic neighborhoods: German Village, Olde Towne East
- Best neighborhoods if you’ve got kids: Bexley, Clintonville
- Best neighborhoods for foodies: Downtown, Short North, Italian Village
- Most diverse neighborhoods: Short North, Eastmoor, Franklin Park
- Most affordable neighborhoods: Franklin Park, South of Main
Once you have a place in mind, schedule a visit if possible! Staying a few days in your new home-to-be will give you a better idea of what your day-to-day may look like—and it’ll let you scope out your new favorite lunch spot.
MORE: Cheap car insurance if you rent an apartment
Moving to Columbus checklist
You’ve picked out your new neighborhood and you’re officially making the move to Columbus. Follow along with these moving checklists to help make the moving process as stress-free and organized as possible.
Before you go
Before you move, make sure to:
- Find a good moving companythat can meet your packing, moving, and budget needs. If you prefer handling that yourself, book a U-Haul.
- Start packing! Enlist your moving company, if they have that service, or consider asking friends or family.
- Tell your landlord, employer, mail subscriptions, insurance provider, and utility company that you’re moving.
- Prep your car for a road trip, or arrange to ship your car to your new home and book your travel.
After you get there
Once you make it to your new home:
- Update your car registration and insurance to reflect your new living situation.
- Consider buying renters insurance to protect your belongings (and bank account).
- Change your mailing address and update your voter registration and health insurance information.
- Spend some time getting to know your new digs! You’ll want to know where the best restaurants, cafes, parks, and music venues are.
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Is it worth moving to Columbus?
If you favor a low cost of living, outdoor recreation, college game days, all four seasons, and unique food experiences, it may be worth it to make the move to Columbus.
How much money do I need to move to Columbus?
Your actual moving costs will mostly depend on where you’re moving from, but expect to pay anywhere from $100 to a few thousand dollars for that. Once you’re in the city, it’s recommended that a single adult makes at least $1,891 a month just for the bare necessities.
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