Columbus, Ohio, and Central Contra Costa, California, provide diverse experiences for both residents and tourists. Each city has unique characteristics in terms of crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, and more. Understanding these differences can help those who are considering relocating or simply planning a visit. This comparative guide will assist you in navigating through nuances, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your priorities.
Columbus, OH, has a higher crime rate than Central Contra Costa, CA. It's essential to take this into account when considering relocating or visiting. Regardless of the city, it's important to be aware of one's surroundings and take basic safety precautions. For residents, neighbourhood safety plays a vital role in quality of life, while for tourists, a safer environment can lead to a more relaxed and enjoyable visit.
Cost of Living
Cost of living varies greatly between Columbus and Central Contra Costa. Central Contra Costa is significantly more expensive due to California's high living costs, including housing and general expenses. In contrast, Columbus offers a more affordable living standard, making it an attractive option for those on a budget.
Income Tax
Ohio levies a progressive income tax, while California has one of the highest state income taxes in the U.S, which can significantly impact the overall cost of living.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Central Contra Costa tend to be higher than in Columbus due to the significantly higher property values in California.
Sales Tax
Ohio's state sales tax, combined with Columbus's local tax, is lower than California's combined state and local sales tax. Residents and tourists will notice a difference in the total sales tax applied to purchases in each city.
Income
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Estimated median household income
$58,202
$127,452
Estimated per capita income
$32,392
$68,702
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.1
139.1
If you make $50,000 in Columbus, you will have to make $72,373 in Central Contra Costa to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Columbus is primarily a flat city, making it ideal for walking and biking. Central Contra Costa, with its diverse landscapes ranging from rolling hills to Bayside marinas, provides a variety of outdoor activities.
Geographical information
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Land area
210.3 sq. miles
261.3 sq. miles
Population density
4,311.3 people per sq. mile
1,863.4 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Columbus, OH Central Contra Costa, CA
Education
Higher education institutions, such as Ohio State University, make Columbus an academically rich environment. Central Contra Costa, meanwhile, is located near prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley, attracting a high caliber of academics and students.
Columbus houses many Fortune 500 companies, providing ample employment opportunities. The economy in Central Contra Costa benefits significantly from its proximity to San Francisco and Silicon Valley, making it a lucrative destination for tech professionals.
Biggest Employers
Columbus is home to several large employers like Ohio State University, Nationwide, and JP Morgan Chase & Co. In Central Contra Costa, top employers include Chevron, John Muir Health, and Safeway.
In Columbus (Franklin County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 37.9% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Central Contra Costa (Contra Costa County), 66.2% voted for Democrats and 31.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
2020
64.7%
71.8%
33.4%
26.4%
1.9%
1.8%
2016
59.8%
67.5%
33.9%
24.5%
6.2%
8.0%
2012
60.8%
66.2%
37.9%
31.1%
1.3%
2.7%
2008
59.8%
68.0%
39.0%
30.2%
1.2%
1.8%
2004
54.5%
62.6%
45.2%
36.7%
0.3%
0.7%
2000
48.9%
59.0%
47.9%
37.2%
3.2%
3.8%
1996
48.1%
55.7%
44.5%
35.2%
7.3%
9.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
CATHOLIC CHURCH
13.2%
21.8%
5.6%
5.2%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.6%
0.5%
3.7%
2.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
1.3%
6.8%
10.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.3%
1.0%
1.9%
1.4%
VINEYARD USA
1.3%
0.0%
1.2%
0.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.0%
0.3%
3.3%
2.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.5%
1.3%
2.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
2.0%
1.5%
Weather
California's Mediterranean climate provides warm summers and mild winters, appealing to those who favor milder weather. Columbus, on the other hand, sees all four seasons with hot summers and cold, often snowy winters. Depending on personal preference, the weather can significantly impact a decision to live or visit a particular city.
Weather and climate
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Temperature - Average
52.8°F
59.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74.8%
82.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
29.3%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
86%
88.1%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
58.8%
Precipitation - Yearly average
39.3 in
21.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
56.6 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
12%
27.7%
Sunshine amount - Average
49.7%
73.3%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
27%
22.4%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
55%
77.2%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
28%
54.7%
Wind speed - Average
8.2 mph
11.1 mph
Average climate in Columbus, Ohio
Average climate in Central Contra Costa, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Central Contra Costa
Columbus
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
2018
69
105
0.11
0.32
10.0
6.9
33.8
22.1
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.0
13.3
0.0
0.6
2017
68
102
0.16
0.30
9.6
7.0
28.7
25.9
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.5
11.9
0.1
0.7
2016
76
86
0.17
0.28
10.6
6.5
28.5
25.2
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.6
6.5
0.1
0.8
2015
74
94
0.16
0.34
11.3
7.6
27.0
25.8
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.1
8.8
0.1
0.5
2014
82
95
0.20
0.35
11.0
7.8
28.5
25.2
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.4
6.9
0.5
0.5
2013
78
93
N/A
0.34
8.9
9.3
29.6
21.5
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
7.8
0.6
0.5
2012
87
93
N/A
0.32
N/A
8.5
32.9
25.2
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
8.3
N/A
0.3
2011
89
99
N/A
0.35
N/A
9.0
28.1
23.0
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
9.8
N/A
0.6
2010
90
93
N/A
0.31
N/A
8.6
30.5
23.2
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
8.5
N/A
0.5
2009
61
104
N/A
0.31
N/A
9.5
28.7
23.7
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.3
N/A
0.6
2008
65
120
N/A
0.36
N/A
10.2
31.2
26.1
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.1
1.8
0.8
2007
80
104
N/A
0.36
N/A
10.7
30.8
24.1
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
2.8
0.7
2006
75
109
N/A
0.39
N/A
10.9
30.0
26.0
N/A
N/A
23.7
N/A
N/A
11.1
3.3
0.8
2005
87
104
N/A
0.43
N/A
11.6
29.6
22.7
N/A
N/A
27.5
N/A
N/A
10.4
4.1
1.0
2004
77
112
N/A
0.46
N/A
12.4
27.8
22.6
0.004
N/A
24.6
N/A
N/A
11.9
4.4
1.1
2003
91
84
N/A
0.51
N/A
13.4
26.4
23.1
N/A
N/A
23.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
0.7
2002
93
88
N/A
0.51
N/A
14.7
31.3
23.3
0.008
N/A
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
0.9
2001
84
90
N/A
0.56
N/A
15.4
29.2
22.1
0.008
N/A
25.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.5
1.2
2000
57
95
N/A
0.67
N/A
15.9
N/A
20.8
0.013
N/A
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
1.6
Natural disasters
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
119.1%
9.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
96.1%
7,786.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
16%
18%
Transportation
Columbus's public transportation system includes buses and taxis, while locale Columbusites often prefer driving. Central Contra Costa offers extensive public transit options, including BART, bus services, and ferries.
Transport
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
415
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
4
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Bicycle
0.6%
0.5%
Bus
1.6%
1%
Carpooled
7.4%
9.9%
Car alone
86.7%
72.3%
Motorcycle
0%
0.2%
Railroad
0%
0.8%
Subway
0%
7.7%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
2.2%
1.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Average
26.1 min
31.8 min
Real Estate
Real estate prices are noticeably higher in Central Contra Costa compared to Columbus, reflecting California's high property prices. Columbus provides more affordable housing, which can be a deciding factor for those looking to relocate.
Neighborhoods
Columbus boasts distinct and diverse neighborhoods like German Village and Short North. Central Contra Costa is made up of affluent communities like Walnut Creek and Lafayette, offering upscale living.
Houses and residents
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
Houses
422,120
183,777
Average household size (people)
2.3
2.5
Houses occupied
390,605 (92.5%)
179,136 (97.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
175,427 (44.9%)
127,889 (71.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
215,178 (55.1%)
51,247 (28.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,371
$2,527
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$195,022
$1,269,474
Estimated median house or condo value
$219,200
Over $1,000,000
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.5
Renting percentage
53%
30.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,007.5
703.4
Household income disparities
42.4%
35.9%
Housing units without a mortgage
4,290 (3.3%)
20,208 (18.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,651 (8.2%)
418 (0.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
125,487 (96.7%)
90,899 (81.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
775 (0.6%)
13,612 (12.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,558 (10.4%)
13,614 (12.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.6%
0.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
20,915
22,217
State government workers
31,881
6,705
Unpaid family workers
724
617
Industries and Occupations
Columbus's economy is fueled by diverse industries including education, insurance, banking, fashion, and more. Central Contra Costa has a strong presence in technology, healthcare, and professional services.
Both Columbus and Central Contra Costa have excellent healthcare facilities. Columbus is home to the world-renowned Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University, while Central Contra Costa boasts top-rated hospitals like John Muir Health.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities boast well-maintained infrastructure, with Columbus being known for its orderly layout and Central Contra Costa praised for its modernity and access to surrounding areas.
Infrastructure
Type
Columbus
Central Contra Costa
TV stations
14
24
Culture and Food
Both cities have vibrant cultural scenes. Columbus is known for its arts, music and food festivals, while Central Contra Costa is famous for its high-end food scene and wine culture.
Sports Teams
Columbus is home to the NHL's Blue Jackets and the MLS's Columbus Crew. Central Contra Costa does not host any major sports teams but is within a short commute to teams in the Bay Area.
Columbus, OH
Central Contra Costa, CA
Columbus, OH and 
Central Contra Costa, CA : 2,086.4 miles
