The Columbus metro is home to 326,136 people (up 6.0% over five years), with a median household income of $57,762. Typical rent of $1,353/month works out to 28.1% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Columbus's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 23.2% |
| Manufacturing | 10.8% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 10.4% |
| Retail trade | 9.9% |
| Professional & management | 9.7% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 28.1% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Columbus market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,353/month suggests a household income around $54,000/year. The metro's median household income is $57,762.
By workforce share: Education & health care (23.2%), Manufacturing (10.8%), Finance, insurance & real estate (10.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).