Comparing Columbus, Ohio, and Lincoln, Nebraska, reveals stark contrasts in the demographic and lifestyle aspects of these regions. Both cities offer unique experiences in terms of crime and safety, weather patterns, living costs, educational opportunities, and more. Diversified economies provide a plenitude of diverse employment opportunities, with robust infrastructural networks supporting thriving industries. Differences also exist in real estate, neighborhoods, transportation options, tax rates, food and cultural events, sports teams, and healthcare systems.
Distance between
Columbus, OH and
Lincoln, NE : 721.5 miles
Columbus's population is larger by 210%. Its population has grown by 195,058 people (27.4%) since 2000. The population of Lincoln has grown by 67,076 people (29.7%) during that time.
Columbus has a slightly higher crime rate than the national average, which could be important when considering safety. In contrast, Lincoln's crime rate is somewhat lower than the national average, offering a potentially safer environment. Tourists are advised to take the usual precautions in both cities.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,576 registered sex offenders living in Columbus and 880 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Columbus is 547 to 1; the ratio in Lincoln is 319 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Columbus than in Lincoln.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Columbus is close to the national average with affordability in housing making it desirable for many people. Lincoln generally has a lower cost of living, which attracts both residents and tourists looking for affordable vacation spots.
Income Tax
City and state income tax rates in Columbus are generally higher than in Lincoln. Ohio state’s income tax rates range from 0% to 4.797%, while Nebraska ranges from 2.46% to 6.84%.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Columbus are generally lower than in Lincoln, which may influence homeownership.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in Columbus, Ohio is 7.5%, while in Lincoln, Nebraska, it is 7.25%. This slight difference may affect the overall cost of goods and services.
Income
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Estimated median household income
$58,202
$62,294
Estimated per capita income
$32,392
$34,008
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
84.5
If you make $50,000 in Lincoln, you will have to make $56,864 in Columbus to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Columbus is centrally located in Ohio with a variety of landscapes, including forests, rivers, and plains. Lincoln is seated in the Great Plains region, characterized by its flat terrain.
In terms of quality of education, both cities house reputable schools and universities. Columbus is home to The Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the US. Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska, a respected institution offering excellent educational opportunities.
Columbus boasts a diverse economy with industries spanning education, healthcare, technology, and finance. Lincoln's economy also has diverse sectors like education, information technology, and the service industry.
Biggest Employers
Columbus's biggest employers include the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University and JP Morgan Chase. Lincoln's major employers are University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the State of Nebraska.
There were 913 building permits issued in Columbus in 2012 (246 more than in 2011) compared to 1,093 building permits issued in Lincoln in 2012 (549 more than in 2011).
In Columbus (Franklin County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 37.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Lincoln (Lancaster County), 48.7% voted for Democrats and 49.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Columbus
Lincoln
Columbus
Lincoln
Columbus
Lincoln
2020
64.7%
52.3%
33.4%
44.6%
1.9%
3.1%
2016
59.8%
45.4%
33.9%
45.2%
6.2%
9.4%
2012
60.8%
48.7%
37.9%
49.0%
1.3%
2.3%
2008
59.8%
51.6%
39.0%
46.6%
1.2%
1.9%
2004
54.5%
42.6%
45.2%
56.3%
0.3%
1.1%
2000
48.9%
41.7%
47.9%
51.9%
3.2%
6.4%
1996
48.1%
44.4%
44.5%
45.9%
7.3%
9.8%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Columbus
Lincoln
Columbus
Lincoln
CATHOLIC CHURCH
13.2%
14.9%
5.6%
6.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.6%
5.0%
3.7%
6.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
0.7%
6.8%
3.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.3%
0.2%
1.9%
0.8%
VINEYARD USA
1.3%
0.0%
1.2%
0.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.0%
0.1%
3.3%
1.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
1.3%
1.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
1.4%
2.0%
3.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
4.6%
1.0%
5.9%
SALVATION ARMY
0.1%
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.4%
0.1%
1.3%
Weather
The weather in Columbus tends to be variable with a humid continental climate featuring hot, muggy summers and cold, dry winters. Lincoln also experiences a changing climate with hot summers and moderately cold winters, often with more snowfall than Columbus.
Weather and climate
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Temperature - Average
52.8°F
51.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.8%
75.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
35%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
87%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
39.3 in
29.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
56.6 in
53 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12%
19.6%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.7%
65.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
27%
23%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
55%
73%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
28%
50%
Wind speed - Average
8.2 mph
10.6 mph
Average climate in Columbus, Ohio
Average climate in Lincoln, Nebraska
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Columbus
Lincoln
Columbus
Lincoln
Columbus
Columbus
Lincoln
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
2018
69
46
0.11
N/A
10.0
N/A
33.8
28.8
N/A
N/A
6.0
N/A
0.0
N/A
2017
68
47
0.16
N/A
9.6
N/A
28.7
27.6
N/A
N/A
5.5
N/A
0.1
N/A
2016
76
48
0.17
N/A
10.6
N/A
28.5
30.4
N/A
N/A
5.6
N/A
0.1
N/A
2015
74
54
0.16
N/A
11.3
N/A
27.0
31.3
N/A
N/A
6.1
N/A
0.1
N/A
2014
82
54
0.20
N/A
11.0
N/A
28.5
29.1
N/A
N/A
7.4
N/A
0.5
N/A
2013
78
46
N/A
N/A
8.9
N/A
29.6
29.1
N/A
N/A
7.8
N/A
0.6
N/A
2012
87
41
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
32.9
32.7
N/A
N/A
8.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
2011
89
30
N/A
0.32
N/A
N/A
28.1
26.3
N/A
N/A
8.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
2010
90
31
N/A
0.39
N/A
N/A
30.5
25.0
N/A
N/A
9.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
2009
61
58
N/A
0.42
N/A
N/A
28.7
23.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2008
65
31
N/A
0.40
N/A
N/A
31.2
25.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.8
N/A
2007
80
35
N/A
0.47
N/A
N/A
30.8
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.8
N/A
2006
75
38
N/A
0.55
N/A
N/A
30.0
26.7
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.3
N/A
2005
87
40
N/A
0.62
N/A
N/A
29.6
28.2
27.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
N/A
2004
77
37
N/A
0.68
N/A
N/A
27.8
27.1
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
N/A
2003
91
43
N/A
0.63
N/A
N/A
26.4
29.2
23.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
N/A
2002
93
39
N/A
0.62
N/A
N/A
31.3
27.3
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
N/A
2001
84
41
N/A
0.73
N/A
N/A
29.2
26.5
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.5
N/A
2000
57
40
N/A
0.71
N/A
N/A
N/A
27.8
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
119.1%
199.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
96.1%
471.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
12%
Transportation
Columbus offers a variety of transportation options, including buses, bikes, and taxis. Lincoln also has a reliable public transportation system and biking routes, but Columbus has a larger and more developed network.
Transport
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
415
240
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
3
Means of transportation to work
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Bicycle
0.6%
0.8%
Bus
1.6%
1.1%
Carpooled
7.4%
10.2%
Car alone
86.7%
83.4%
Motorcycle
0%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2.2%
3.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Average
26.1 min
21.5 min
Other means
21.7 min
18.8 min
Public transportation
35.4 min
28.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
90.7%
88.3%
In 2 person carpool
7.3%
10%
In 3 person carpool
1.4%
1.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.5%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.3%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Columbus's real estate market is dynamic with median home values being slightly above the national average. Lincoln has an affordable housing market with home values below the national average.
Neighborhoods
Columbus offers diverse neighborhoods ranging from vibrant downtown areas to serene suburbs. Lincoln offers a range of options from bustling city dwellings to quieter residential areas.
Houses and residents
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Houses
422,120
126,262
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.4
Median year apartment built
1982
1983
Median year house/condo built
1977
1979
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.6 years
12.1 years
Houses occupied
390,605 (92.5%)
120,407 (95.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
175,427 (44.9%)
70,003 (58.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
215,178 (55.1%)
50,404 (41.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,371
$849.83
Median monthly housing costs
$1,110
$1,000
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$195,022
$413,349
Estimated median house or condo value
$219,200
$228,000
Median numbers of rooms
5
5.7
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
7
Median house price - detached houses
$233,452
$244,409
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$121,729
$146,009
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$215,337
$318,993
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$240,711
$99,016
Median house price - mobile homes
$121,578
$14,649
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$218,726
$282,955
Median house price - All housing units
$229,736
$242,537
Median house age
42
40
Renting percentage
53%
41.4%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,007.5
1,691.6
House value disparities
30.2%
29.7%
Household income disparities
42.4%
43.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$89,058
$97,001
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,295
$72,157
Housing units without a mortgage
4,290 (3.3%)
1,686 (3.6%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,651 (8.2%)
3,489 (7.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
125,487 (96.7%)
44,764 (96.4%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
775 (0.6%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,558 (10.4%)
4,382 (9.4%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.6%
0.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.3%
0.3%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Columbus
Lincoln
One, detached
45.8%
58.3%
One, attached
9.1%
8.0%
Two
4.0%
2.3%
3 or 4
8.6%
2.9%
5 to 9
11.8%
5.6%
10 to 19
8.6%
7.4%
20 to 49
4.5%
7.6%
50 or more
6.8%
6.4%
Mobile homes
0.8%
1.5%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
20,915
9,332
State government workers
31,881
14,738
Unpaid family workers
724
298
Industries and Occupations
In Columbus, the education and healthcare sectors dominate the job market. Lincoln's leading industries include education, information technology, and finance.
Both Columbus and Lincoln have made significant investments in infrastructure. Columbus features modern amenities, roads, bridges, and parks. Lincoln also maintains well-developed infrastructure, including roads, railways, libraries, and parks.
Infrastructure
Type
Columbus
Lincoln
Hospitals
47
11
TV stations
14
16
Arenas or stadiums
3
3
Bank branches located here
200
123
Bank institutions located here
25
21
Main business address for public companies
23
8
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
17
6
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Columbus
Lincoln
1999
2,450
563
2000
2,376
394
2001
1,897
262
2002
1,483
246
2003
2,087
334
2004
3,216
357
2005
4,275
416
2006
4,662
374
2007
2,679
223
2008
1,015
149
2009
555
97
Culture and Food
Columbus offers a rich cultural scene with numerous theaters, arts venues, and diverse food options. Lincoln also has a vibrant culture with a thriving music scene and a variety of local and international cuisines.
Sports Teams
Columbus is home to professional sports teams including the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) and Columbus Crew (MLS). Lincoln doesn’t host any major professional sports teams, but collegiate sports, especially football at the University of Nebraska, are very popular.
Columbus, OH
Lincoln, NE
