Columbus Unexpected
A friendly Midwestern town with metropolitan style.
Columbus is a great place to start out, to stay, to raise a family and to explore.
Find out for yourself:
It’s affordable
The cost of living in Columbus is 10% below the national average.
It’s welcoming
Columbus is a city that invites and embraces cultural and economic diversity.
It’s thriving
One of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Columbus is the second largest in the Midwest behind Chicago.
It’s smart
Columbus harbors a spirit of innovation that attracts the best and the brightest.
Places to live in Columbus
Whatever your style or stage of life, there’s an address in the Columbus area – either to rent or own – that will make you feel at home.
Options abound in our burgeoning downtown, lively urban districts or diverse array of distinct neighborhoods, nearby small towns. Wherever you live, you’ll likely be close to one of our beautiful parks and have easy access to top restaurants, recreation, shopping and more.
The central Ohio region has a relatively low cost of living, so your budget might stretch further than you expect. The commute to work should be great too – the average one-way commute for the Columbus Metro area is about 23 minutes, and Columbus ranks 5th in the U.S. for cities with the best commutes.
Explore Columbus neighborhoods
Schools and childcare in Columbus
There are plenty of great options for K-12 education in Columbus, both public and private, with many ranked among the best school systems in the state.
Curious about options after high school or college graduation? Faculty and staff at our medical center are eligible for tuition reimbursement at The Ohio State University for themselves or their dependents. The central Ohio region is also home to 56 other public and private colleges, universities and technical schools.
You’ll also find a wide range of convenient preschool and child care options, including The Ohio State University Child Care Program, which is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), an achievement attained by less than 10% of early childhood programs nationwide.
What other employers will you find in Columbus?
Ohio State isn’t isolated when it comes to intellect and innovation. Opportunities for partnership through research and development abound.
If someone else in your household is looking for work, Columbus has a pretty impressive list of employers. Among the largest are JPMorgan Chase Co., Honda of America Manufacturing Inc., L Brands (Victoria’s Secret, Pink and Bath & Body Works), Abercrombie & Fitch and Wendy’s International.
Columbus is also home to a thriving community of entrepreneurs and small businesses. With a well-balanced economy spanning sectors like government, manufacturing, education, research, data processing, insurance and banking, Columbus offers plenty of professional opportunities and has a track record of being more recession resistant than other parts of the country.
Explore the Columbus region's economy
Things to do in Columbus
There truly is something for everyone, from iconic attractions to hidden gems – a world-class zoo, the top-ranked children’s science museum, three professional sports teams, stunning exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Art, live dance, theater and music performances at the Ohio Theatre, nationally recognized restaurants and distilleries, and, of course, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
See for yourself
