Harrisburg-Carlisle and Columbus receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Harrisburg-Carlisle
Columbus
Opportunity
81 · Top 7%
vs83 · Top 5%
Growth
64 · Top 27%
vs68 · Top 22%
Climate
70 · Top 37%
vs68 · Top 44%
Physical resilience
75 · Top 22%
vs77 · Top 18%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 34%
vs91 · Bottom 39%
Access
92 · Top 21%
vs99 · Top 2%
Economic stability
84 · Top 9%
vs79 · Top 15%
Measured values
| Metric | Harrisburg-Carlisle | Columbus | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 604,155 | 2,175,788 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $80,919 | $81,945 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $43,785 | $44,770 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 373/sq mi | 454/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $253,100 | $300,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,212 | $1,274 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 68.0% | 61.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 3.3% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 2.7% | 0.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.8% | 39.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 12.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,549 | 13,239 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.6 | 6.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 23.2% | -16.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 88°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 25°F | 22°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 41.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 18 mi | 4 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.9 min | 25.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Harrisburg-Carlisle
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Columbus
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Harrisburg-Carlisle
81
Your Score
79
Area Score
Columbus
81
Your Score
79
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Metro Area · Columbus, OH Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology