3 Most Affordable Neighborhoods to Live in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio, is a thriving, affordable city with a strong economy and high quality of life. With a population of 913,175, Columbus offers a variety of safe neighborhoods, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a climate-safe environment with a variety of unique neighborhoods. The city’s low cost of living, combined with a dynamic job market, draws newcomers from across the country.

Ohio has a graduated state income tax ranging from 2.75% to 3.50%, with local income taxes in certain areas. The state’s sales tax rate is 5.75%, and the average combined state and local rate is 7.24%. Property taxes are relatively low, at 1.30% for owner-occupied housing, making Columbus an affordable place to live compared to many other cities.

Columbus experiences long, warm summers and short, cold, snowy winters. Temperatures typically range from 22°F in the winter to 84°F in the summer, with rare extremes. The changing seasons make the city ideal for those seeking a nice range of weather. 

The city’s cost of living is around 10% higher than Ohio’s average but remains lower than the national average. This affordability, combined with a growing job market and a variety of incomes throughout the local neighborhoods, makes Columbus ideal for a diverse range of people throughout different stages of life. 

Among the top neighborhoods in Columbus are Clintonville, Grandview Heights, and German Village. These areas are known for their safety, affordability, and unique local experiences. Whether you’re a young professional, a family, or a retiree, each neighborhood offers something special. In this article, we’ll explore why Clintonville, Grandview Heights, and German Village are among Columbus’s best places to live.

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1. German Village

A. Neighborhood Employment: The unemployment rate in German Village is 4%, which is 8% lower than the national average. However, with an income per capita of $22,656, it falls 25% below the national average. 

While the neighborhood has a lower employment rating of D- rating in employment, residents can benefit from the area’s proximity to nearby neighborhoods thriving with solid job markets. What German Village may lack in employment, it makes up for in charm and character. Read on to discover what makes this neighborhood so appealing.

B. Neighborhood Safety Rating: German Village has a safety rating of A-. This area’s violent crime rating is 51% lower, and property crime rating is 29% lower than the national average, so the neighborhood’s total crime 32% less than the United States average.

C. Neighborhood Healthcare: German Village is close to many hospitals and clinics. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a nationally ranked pediatric hospital, is minutes away. Additionally, the #1 ranked hospital in Columbus, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and the #2 ranked hospital, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, are a 15 – 20-minute drive, depending on your location and traffic.

D. Neighborhood Education: German Village is part of the Columbus City Schools District, which offers over 100 public school options and a variety of private schools. Neighborhood residents can also attend South Columbus Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free, public charter school serving elementary and middle school students. 

German Village is also near several prominent universities, including The Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College, Capital University, Franklin University, and Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD).

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E. Neighborhood Amenities:Founded by German immigrants in the early-to-mid-19th century, German Village is a vibrant and historic neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus. This area, known for its brick streets and old-world charm, was designated a historic district in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.  Today, it is home to a thriving mix of local restaurants, bars, and small businesses.

The COTA bus system provides public transportation in the area. Several lines run through German Village, making it easy for residents and visitors to travel both within and beyond the neighborhood.

F. Neighborhood’s Unique Attributes:German Village is home to a variety of unique attractions, including the Franklin Park Conservatory, a 40-acre space with 83,000 square feet of glasshouses and botanical gardens, hosting fun events like Cocktails at the Conservatory. Another gem is The Red Stable, a charming gift shop and art studio housed in a former horse livery, wagon repair shop, and icehouse. The Book Loft, one of the largest independent bookstores in the country, occupies a pre-Civil War era building that was once a general store, a saloon, and a nickelodeon cinema and is now home to 32 rooms filled with bargain books.

This walkable neighborhood is known for its many lively festivals, vibrant events, and top-notch dining and shopping, including Shakespeare in the Park, Lindey’s, Chapman’s Eat Market, Antiques on High, and Pistacia Vera.

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2. Clintonville

A. Neighborhood Employment: The unemployment rate in Clintonville is 2.6%, which is 2% less than the Ohio average rate. At $44,821, Clintonville’s income per capita is 50% higher than the national average. 

Clintonville is centrally located in Columbus, making the area an easy commute to many of Columbus’ key businesses and industries. Clintonville is a short drive or bus ride to The Ohio State University, which employs over 45,000 people in the Columbus area and is one of the biggest economic forces in Columbus. If working for large businesses like Nationwide Insurance or JPMorgan Chase isn’t for you, Clintonville is also home to many small businesses, bakeries, and restaurants.

B. Neighborhood Safety Rating: Clintonville has a safety rating of A- as the area’s estimated total crime rate is 32% less than the national average. 

Violent crime accounts for only 180 incidents per 100,000 people annually, or 11% of all crimes in Clintonville, which is 51% below the national average. Most crimes in the area are property crimes, representing 88% of total offenses. However, property crime rates in Clintonville remain 29% lower than the national average. 

C. Neighborhood Healthcare: Clintonville is conveniently located in the heart of Columbus, providing easy access to the city’s top medical facilities. The #1 ranked hospital in Columbus, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, is just a 10 – 15-minute drive from Clintonville, depending on the exact location and traffic. The #2 ranked hospital in Columbus, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, is even closer, with a drive time of less than 10 minutes.

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D. Neighborhood Education: Clintonville is part of the Columbus City Schools District, which offers over 100 public school options, and a variety of private schools. 

The neighborhood is ideally located near several prominent universities, including The Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College, and Ohio Dominican University.

D. Neighborhood Amenities: Clintonville is home to many Metroparks including the Park of Roses, one of the largest public rose gardens in the U.S., with more than 7,500 rose specimens and 13 acres of gardens and paved walkways. This garden is conveniently located next to Whetstone Park, which offers over ten public tennis and pickleball courts and walking and biking paths. 

The neighborhood is well-served by a variety of local amenities, including grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, and shops. Additionally, Clintonville has many COTA bus stops, making it easy to travel by car, foot, or public transit to nearby destinations. 

D. Neighborhood’s Unique Attributes: In 2019, Clintonville was recognized as a GreenSpot Neighborhood, an honor that highlights the community’s commitment to sustainability. Although just a short distance from downtown Columbus, the area is renowned for its abundant green spaces, such as Whetstone Park, a 149-acre public park, and Clinton-Como Park, a 21-acre public park.

In the midst of this nature-filled neighborhood are charming historic buildings that house small shops, unique coffee spots, and local bakeries. Highlights include The Brass Hand, a small plant shop where you can pot your own cactus; Kitty Bubble Cafe, where you can enjoy an iced latte while playing with adoptable cats; and Pattycake Bakery, a beloved local spot known for its handmade sweets.

3. Grandview Heights

A. Neighborhood Employment: Grandview Heights’s income per capita is $72,534, 143% higher than the national average! The unemployment rate is 3% lower than the national average, and the poverty level is 10% lower than the national average.

Grandview Heights is home to multiple national companies’ offices. These offices include Ernst and Young, a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services, and Nationwide, an industry leader with 25,391 employees and an annual revenue of $41.0B.

B. Neighborhood Safety Rating: Grandview Heights has an impressive safety rating of A-, with the area’s violent crime rating being 73.8% lower than the national average. 

While the neighborhood’s overall crime rate is 3.7% higher than the national average, violent crimes are relatively rare, with an estimated 97 incidents per 100,000 people. The majority, 96%, are property crimes. Notably, Grandview Heights reported a murder rate of zero, reflecting the city’s strong commitment to safety.

C. Neighborhood Healthcare: Grandview is conveniently located near many top-rated hospitals and medical facilities. The #1 ranked hospital in Columbus, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and the #2 ranked hospital, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, are both just a 10 – 15-minute drive away, depending on your location and traffic. In addition, the area is home to numerous clinics, such as OhioHealth Urgent Care.

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D. Neighborhood Education: Grandview Heights is served by its own highly regarded public school district,

which educates 1,144 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. State test scores show 83% of students are proficient in math, and 87% are proficient in reading. 

The Grandview Heights City School District ranks 16th out of 607 school districts in Ohio. Additionally, the neighborhood is close to several top-rated private schools, including The Wellington School, the second-best private high school in Columbus.

E. Neighborhood Amenities: Grandview Heights is a vibrant neighborhood with tree-lined streets bustling with bars, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, an award-winning library, and local businesses. 

The area is well-served by public transportation through the COTA bus system. Residents and visitors can take Line 31 to navigate Grandview Heights, travel to OSU Wexner Medical Center and The Ohio State University, or even make their way to Easton Town Center for some shopping and entertainment.

D. Neighborhood’s Unique Attributes: Grandview Heights is a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood with a vibrant mix of dining, entertainment, and unique spots to explore. On Grandview Ave., you’ll find a variety of restaurants, plus the Grandview Theater and Drafthouse, a popular spot for dinner, drinks, and a movie. This area is known as the historic Bank Block, one of the country’s first shopping centers.

The Grandview Heights Public Library which was awarded an Architectural Design Award in 2012, is a neighborhood gem. The area is also home to three distilleries, including Watershed Distillery, High Bank Distillery, and Endeavor Brewstillery. Grandview Heights also has many breweries, including award-winning craft microbreweries and taprooms. For coffee lovers, Stauf’s Coffee is a well-known local favorite among many unique coffee shops. Additionally, the neighborhood is dotted with various public parks, adding to its charm and appeal.

Conclusion: Clintonville, Grandview Heights, and German Village each offer a unique mix of affordability, safety, and character. With their vibrant communities, rich histories, and convenient access to essential and nonessential amenities, these neighborhoods provide ideal living environments for a diverse range of people seeking a welcoming home in Columbus.