Columbus, OH and Yonkers, NY, though geographically different, both have their unique charm. A sprawling Midwest city, Columbus is known for its lower cost of living, diverse job market, and enthusiastic sports culture, while Yonkers, an inner suburb of New York City, boasts a higher cost but better urban amenities and easy access to the metropolis. Each city offers a unique blend of opportunities, amenities, and challenges that may appeal differently to residents or visitors, depending on their interests and lifestyle.
Distance between
Columbus, OH and
Yonkers, NY : 484.0 miles
Columbus's population is larger by 333%. Its population has grown by 195,058 people (27.4%) since 2000. The population of Yonkers has grown by 13,444 people (6.9%) during that time.
Relative to Ohio, Columbus has a higher crime rate, but it varies by neighborhood. Columbus has been working on improving safety and has seen some improvements in recent years. Yonkers, on the other hand, is considered one of the safest cities of its size in the U.S. with a declining crime rate. Both cities are dedicated to maintaining safe environments for residents and visitors alike.
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 1,506 registered sex offenders living in Columbus and 121 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Columbus is 573 to 1; the ratio in Yonkers is 1,659 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is much larger in Columbus than that in Yonkers.
Cost of Living
Columbus has a lower cost of living compared to the national average, particularly in terms of housing. Groceries, health care, and utilities are also less expensive. Conversely, Yonkers, being part of the New York metropolitan area, has a significantly higher cost of living compared to the national average, especially in terms of housing.
Income Tax
Both cities have city and state income taxes. In Columbus, residents face Ohio's state income tax. In Yonkers, residents pay both a New York State income tax and a supplemental income tax for living in Yonkers.
Property Tax
Property taxes are higher in Yonkers than in Columbus, reflecting the overall higher cost of living in the New York area.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in Columbus is moderately high at roughly 7.5%. Nevertheless, it's lower than in Yonkers where the combined state and local sales tax rate can approach 8.375% due to its location in Westchester County.
Income
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Estimated median household income
$58,202
$66,395
Estimated per capita income
$32,392
$37,977
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
152.2
If you make $50,000 in Columbus, you will have to make $79,188 in Yonkers to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Columbus is relatively flat with some modest hills, and the Scioto and Olentangy rivers running through it. Yonkers, in contrast, has a more varied topography with the Hudson River to its west, and hilly areas offering views of the Manhattan skyline.
Columbus is home to the Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the U.S., and several other colleges and universities. It also has good public and private schools. Yonkers, despite its smaller size, offers excellent education opportunities with solid public schools and easy access to numerous higher education institutions in New York City.
Columbus has a diversified economy with sectors like education, government, and insurance playing major roles. Job growth has been consistently positive over the past years. Yonkers' economy revolves around sectors like retail, healthcare, and professional services. It benefits from its proximity to NYC, offering a short commute for those working in Manhattan.
Biggest Employers
In Columbus, the Ohio State University, state government, and Nationwide Insurance are among the biggest employers. On the other end, in Yonkers, the biggest employers include Montefiore Medical, Empire City Casino, and Yonkers Public Schools.
There were 913 building permits issued in Columbus in 2012 (246 more than in 2011) compared to 12 building permits issued in Yonkers in 2012 (5 more than in 2011).
In Columbus (Franklin County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 37.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Yonkers (Westchester County), 62.1% voted for Democrats and 36.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Columbus
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
2020
64.7%
67.8%
33.4%
31.4%
1.9%
0.8%
2016
59.8%
65.0%
33.9%
31.2%
6.2%
3.8%
2012
60.8%
62.1%
37.9%
36.9%
1.3%
0.9%
2008
59.8%
63.7%
39.0%
36.0%
1.2%
0.3%
2004
54.5%
58.2%
45.2%
40.4%
0.3%
1.4%
2000
48.9%
58.9%
47.9%
37.6%
3.2%
3.5%
1996
48.1%
56.9%
44.5%
35.9%
7.3%
7.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Columbus
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
CATHOLIC CHURCH
13.2%
45.9%
5.6%
15.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.6%
0.5%
3.7%
2.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
0.1%
6.8%
2.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.3%
1.4%
1.9%
1.5%
VINEYARD USA
1.3%
0.0%
1.2%
0.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.0%
0.6%
3.3%
3.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.5%
1.3%
7.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
2.0%
3.5%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.3%
0.1%
1.7%
Weather
The weather in Columbus is typically Midwestern, with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. It experiences four distinct seasons. Yonkers, located in the Northeast, also experiences four seasons, but with milder summers and potentially more severe winters, with occasional Nor'easter storms bringing heavy snow.
Weather and climate
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Temperature - Average
52.8°F
53.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.8%
67.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
26.9%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
75.9%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
49%
Precipitation - Yearly average
39.3 in
50.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
56.6 in
54.9 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12%
16.7%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.7%
60.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
27%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
55%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
28%
44%
Wind speed - Average
8.2 mph
10 mph
Average climate in Columbus, Ohio
Average climate in Yonkers, New York
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Columbus
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
Columbus
Yonkers
2018
69
102
0.11
0.30
10.0
16.1
33.8
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.0
7.5
0.0
0.6
2017
68
97
0.16
0.10
9.6
16.1
28.7
24.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.5
7.2
0.1
0.5
2016
76
97
0.17
0.28
10.6
16.8
28.5
24.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.6
7.5
0.1
0.7
2015
74
105
0.16
0.29
11.3
18.1
27.0
23.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.1
8.7
0.1
1.3
2014
82
96
0.20
0.33
11.0
18.3
28.5
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.4
8.2
0.5
1.6
2013
78
103
N/A
0.39
8.9
18.8
29.6
23.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
8.9
0.6
1.9
2012
87
102
N/A
0.43
N/A
18.6
32.9
24.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
8.9
N/A
2.8
2011
89
107
N/A
0.45
N/A
20.8
28.1
22.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
10.9
N/A
4.1
2010
90
113
N/A
0.48
N/A
19.3
30.5
24.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
10.3
N/A
3.7
2009
61
102
N/A
0.50
N/A
21.4
28.7
19.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.4
N/A
4.5
2008
65
114
N/A
0.51
N/A
22.5
31.2
20.4
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
1.8
5.0
2007
80
120
N/A
0.58
N/A
24.2
30.8
19.7
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.8
2.8
6.0
2006
75
115
N/A
0.53
N/A
23.9
30.0
19.7
0.018
N/A
23.7
N/A
N/A
12.8
3.3
6.1
2005
87
112
N/A
0.62
N/A
26.1
29.6
18.8
N/A
N/A
27.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
8.1
2004
77
99
N/A
0.63
N/A
25.0
27.8
17.6
0.030
N/A
24.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
7.9
2003
91
106
N/A
0.74
N/A
26.5
26.4
18.1
0.025
N/A
23.9
26.9
N/A
N/A
4.1
8.0
2002
93
122
N/A
0.68
N/A
26.7
31.3
18.9
N/A
N/A
25.7
25.4
N/A
N/A
4.1
7.6
2001
84
123
N/A
0.69
N/A
28.9
29.2
19.4
N/A
N/A
25.9
23.6
N/A
N/A
3.5
8.9
2000
57
111
N/A
0.71
N/A
29.2
N/A
17.1
N/A
N/A
23.5
22.2
N/A
N/A
3.7
8.4
Natural disasters
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
119.1%
60.2%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
96.1%
31.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
26%
Transportation
Columbus, being more spread out, relies heavily on car transportation, though it does have a growing bus system. Yonkers has excellent public transit with buses, trains, and subway service to NYC, and most of the population prefer public transit for daily commuting.
Transport
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
415
17
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Bicycle
0.6%
0.1%
Bus
1.6%
13.9%
Carpooled
7.4%
12.2%
Car alone
86.7%
60.3%
Railroad
0%
6.2%
Streetcar
0%
2.5%
Subway
0%
2.5%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.9%
Walked
2.2%
4.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Average
26.1 min
33.9 min
Other means
21.7 min
27.4 min
Public transportation
35.4 min
52 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
90.7%
85.9%
In 2 person carpool
7.3%
10.4%
In 3 person carpool
1.4%
1.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.5%
1.1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
1.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real-estate in Columbus generally skews cheaper with a median home price significantly lower than the national average. Yonkers' real estate is much pricier, reflecting typical New York real estate values, but is still less expensive than in Manhattan.
Neighborhoods
Columbus possesses many character-filled neighborhoods, from the gentrified Short North to the student-heavy University District. Yonkers also offers a range of neighborhoods, from more urban settings downtown to quieter, suburban-like areas such as Woodstock Park.
Houses and residents
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Houses
422,120
83,368
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.6
Median year apartment built
1982
1964
Median year house/condo built
1977
1955
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.6 years
16.2 years
Houses occupied
390,605 (92.5%)
81,397 (97.6%)
Houses occupied by owners
175,427 (44.9%)
40,385 (49.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
215,178 (55.1%)
41,012 (50.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,371
$746.05
Median monthly housing costs
$1,110
$1,515
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$195,022
$214,056
Estimated median house or condo value
$219,200
$424,100
Median numbers of rooms
5
4.5
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
3.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
5.5
Median house price - detached houses
$233,452
$633,111
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$121,729
$422,890
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$215,337
$362,555
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$240,711
$246,208
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$218,726
$360,577
Median house price - All housing units
$229,736
$455,533
Median house age
42
62
Renting percentage
53%
53.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,007.5
4,611.9
House value disparities
30.2%
31%
Household income disparities
42.4%
48.5%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$89,058
$129,663
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,295
$72,991
Housing units without a mortgage
4,290 (3.3%)
759 (3.3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,651 (8.2%)
2,672 (11.7%)
Housing units with a mortgage
125,487 (96.7%)
21,988 (96.7%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
775 (0.6%)
118 (0.5%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,558 (10.4%)
3,163 (13.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
17
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
5
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.6%
0.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.3%
1.3%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Columbus
Yonkers
One, detached
45.8%
24.7%
One, attached
9.1%
6.3%
Two
4.0%
10.0%
3 or 4
8.6%
10.0%
5 to 9
11.8%
5.1%
10 to 19
8.6%
6.1%
20 to 49
4.5%
10.3%
50 or more
6.8%
27.3%
Mobile homes
0.8%
0.1%
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
5,405
State government workers
31,881
4,428
Unpaid family workers
724
337
Industries and Occupations
The diverse economy of Columbus is represented by industries such as healthcare, insurance, fashion, defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, and many others. In Yonkers, the major industries are healthcare, retail, and educational services with many residents also working in nearby NYC.
Both cities have excellent health care services. Columbus is home to the Ohio State University Medical Center and other major hospitals. Yonkers residents have access to top-rated hospitals in New York City and Westchester County.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Columbus boasts a solid infrastructure for a mid-sized city. It has a robust freeway system and an international airport. Yonkers enjoys a more urbanized infrastructure with well-maintained roads, bridges, and public buildings due to its urban nature and connection with NYC.
Infrastructure
Type
Columbus
Yonkers
Hospitals
47
7
TV stations
14
30
Bank branches located here
200
52
Bank institutions located here
25
16
Main business address for public companies
23
4
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
17
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Columbus
Yonkers
1999
2,450
379
2000
2,376
529
2001
1,897
366
2002
1,483
362
2003
2,087
470
2004
3,216
649
2005
4,275
799
2006
4,662
999
2007
2,679
748
2008
1,015
472
2009
555
271
Culture and Food
Columbus offers a diverse food scene, multiple festivals, and is home to one of the largest fairs in the country. Yonkers also has a diverse culture, being so close to NYC, and offers a wealth of dining, shopping, and entertainment venues.
Sports Teams
Columbus is home to the Buckeyes of the Ohio State University, as well as professional hockey and soccer teams. Yonkers doesn't have its own professional sports teams, but New York City’s sports teams are readily accessible.
Columbus, OH
Yonkers, NY
