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City comparison

Columbus, OH vs Frisco, TX

Is Columbus safer than Frisco?

No. Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 164 in Columbus, and its violent crime index is 31 versus 140, using 2024 FBI data for Columbus and 2024-2025 FBI data for Frisco.

Columbus is cheaper. Median rent is $1,295 a month versus $2,014 in Frisco.

The income gap between Columbus and Frisco is significant: $66,082 median household versus $150,212. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,295 in Columbus and $2,014 in Frisco.

Frisco is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Columbus makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Frisco is the stronger move.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Columbus at $1,295 average has pockets that run $1,095 and others at $1,695: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

The move

Moving from Columbus to Frisco

Columbus and Frisco are 899 miles apart in a straight line.

Median rent goes from $1,295 a month in Columbus to $2,014 a month in Frisco, up $719 a month (56%).

Median household income goes from $66,082 in Columbus to $150,212 in Frisco, up $84,130 (127%).

The crime index goes from 164 in Columbus to 43 in Frisco, down 121 points (74%).

The move

Moving from Frisco to Columbus

Frisco and Columbus are 899 miles apart in a straight line.

Median rent goes from $2,014 a month in Frisco to $1,295 a month in Columbus, down $719 a month (36%).

Median household income goes from $150,212 in Frisco to $66,082 in Columbus, down $84,130 (56%).

The crime index goes from 43 in Frisco to 164 in Columbus, up 121 points (281%).

Columbus, OH

Rent
$1,295/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$1,602/mo
Median income
66,082
Crime index
164
Weather
53°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Frisco, TX

Rent
$2,014/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$1,807/mo
Median income
150,212
Crime index
43
Weather
68°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Comparing Columbus and Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.

Rent

36% cheaper

Columbus rent is 36% cheaper than Frisco

Columbus

Winner

$1,295/mo

Frisco

$2,014/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,295 a month in Columbus versus $2,014 in Frisco, so Columbus is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $719/month back in your pocket ($8,628/year). Over five years that's $43,140 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Frisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Columbus is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Planning to buy in Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.

Median income

127% higher

Frisco's median income is 127% higher than Columbus

Columbus

$66,082

Frisco

Winner

$150,212

What this means for your life

Median household income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $66,082 in Columbus, so typical pay runs 127% higher in Frisco (about $84,130 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Frisco is the stronger labor market on paper. Columbus can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

74% lower crime

Frisco's crime index is 74% lower than Columbus

Columbus

164 (100 = avg)

Frisco

Winner

43 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 164 in Columbus (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 74% lower in Frisco. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Frisco is the easier city. Columbus can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

Typical weather

52% more comfortable

Frisco weather is 52% more comfortable than Columbus

Columbus

53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100

Frisco

Winner

68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Columbus averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Frisco averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Columbus averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Frisco sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Frisco scores 52% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Columbus if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Columbus

People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Columbus

Columbus is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% cheaper here at about $1,295 a month. Choose Columbus if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Open the Columbus report →

Fit check

Who should choose Frisco

Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access

It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 127% higher ($150,212), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

Frisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 74% lower than Columbus (43 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Frisco report →

Bottom line

Columbus vs Frisco: Our Take

Columbus carries the heavier crime signal on this page (45/100 safety vs 86/100 in Frisco). That 41-point spread matters more than the $719 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.

Columbus rent at $1,295/month is still below Frisco's $2,014, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.

Typical rent stays $1,295 in Columbus and $2,014 in Frisco.

If safety drives your move, Frisco is the stronger match (86/100 safety versus 45/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Columbus, treat $1,295/month rent and $66,082 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.

Common questions

Columbus vs Frisco FAQ

Is Columbus cheaper than Frisco?
Yes. Typical rent in Columbus is $1,295 a month versus $2,014 in Frisco (36% cheaper). Median household income is $66,082 in Columbus compared with $150,212 in Frisco, so Frisco has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Columbus or Frisco?
Frisco is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 43 versus 164 in Columbus (74% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Columbus or Frisco?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Columbus. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Frisco. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

Ready to move to Frisco?

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