Welcome: Where We Rank

WHERE WE RANK

The Columbus metropolitan area is home to the 14th-largest city in the U.S. and is nationally ranked as a leader in many other areas. Here are just a few.

Remote-Ready City | NO. 1

Livability, 2021

“Columbus, OH, takes the top spot for remote-ready cities in 2021, thanks to its forward-looking outlook, high quality of life, affordability and welcoming attitude— it’s a well-rounded community where remote workers of all backgrounds can thrive.”

Rising City for Startups | NO. 1

Forbes, 2018

“Columbus has established a robust startup culture thanks in part to the role of venture funds for some of the city’s biggest companies. Nationwide, State Automobile Mutual Insurance and Grange Insurance all created funds in recent years to support startups. With financing available to build companies, Columbus has done a better job of retaining postgraduation talent from places like Ohio State, which has 60,000 students on its Columbus campus. The working-age population in the city has grown 9% over the past five years, in sharp contrast to the declines in many of its Midwest rivals.”

City Where Millennials are Moving | TOP 10

SmartAsset, 2020

“Millennials may be interested in moving to Columbus because housing costs are generally more reasonable there than in many other large U.S. cities. In our 2019 study, Columbus, Ohio ranked as the ninth city where renters can most easily afford to live alone.”

City for Gen Z | TOP 10

Commercial Café, 2022

“Columbus is one of the nation’s hot spots for young professionals looking for affordability in tandem with community. In fact, it was also ranked among the top 10 best U.S. metros for Millennials. Additionally, Columbus’ cost of living is 11% below the national average. The city’s affordability—as well as its relatively low unemployment—secured its finish high in the standings, while also cementing it as a strong option for Midwestern Gen Zers and more.”

LGBTQ-Friendly City for Millennials | TOP 10

Money Under 30, 2022

“Columbus has one of the highest LGBTQ+ populations in the U.S. after San Francisco and New York, so if you’re looking for a large LGBTQ+ community with some great resources, Columbus may be the perfect fit for you. With dozens of bars, restaurants, and retail locations owned and operated by those in the LGBTQ+ community, you’ll find a vibrant scene on the streets of Columbus.”

City for New College Grads | NO. 2

SmartAsset, 2022

“As the home of Ohio State University, Columbus is the second-ranked city for new college graduates. The city, which has the second-highest overall fun score, ranks in the top 10 for average Yelp bar score (seventh) and average Yelp restaurant score (ninth). People in their 20s make up 19.63% of the population of Columbus, which is the 17th-highest percentage across our study. The city also has the seventh-lowest unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders (2%) and 24th-most Indeed job listings (3,831).”

City to Work in Tech | NO. 1

SmartAsset, 2018

“You may see Columbus, Ohio and not think of it as a tech worker’s paradise but the data suggests otherwise. Columbus has plenty of tech jobs, over 4% of all workers are employed in tech here, and the average tech worker takes home a salary of over $91,100 per year. In both of those metrics Columbus ranks in the top 25. Columbus is also more affordable than many cities as well. Columbus is about 10% cheaper than the rest of the country on average. Another plus to living in Columbus and working in tech is that you will likely be at the top of the local income ladder. The average tech worker earns more than 1.8 times what the average worker earns.”

Best-Paying Metro for Recent College Grads | TOP 10

Self Financial, 2021

“Median earnings for recent college grads (adjusted): $51,856

Median earnings for recent college grads (actual): $47,500

Recent college grad proportion of the total population: 2.7%

Cost of living: 8.4% below average”