Columbus, OH, the “Arch City,” has become one of many areas people are moving to the Midwest. From famous foods, like Buckeye candy and Shaker lemon pie, and neighborhoods like the historic German Village, it’s not a surprise that about 900,000 people live in Columbus.
If you’re looking to buy a home in Columbus, expect to see the median home sale price coming in at $280,000. And if you’re considering renting an apartment in Columbus, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,344.
If those numbers are out of your budget, don’t worry. To help you find the right place to buy a home, Redfin has gathered a list of the 9 best affordable Columbus suburbs to check out. And they’re all less than 25 minutes away from the city. That way you can live close to Columbus and all its awesome activities without paying the premium price of living there.
#1: Whitehall
Median home price: $178,500
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $904
Driving distance from Columbus: 20 minutes
Whitehall, OH homes for sale
Whitehall, OH apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $178,500, Whitehall claims the first spot on our list of affordable Columbus suburbs. Just about a 20-minute drive away from Columbus, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. Founded in 1955 as a residential suburb of Columbus, Whitehall is known for its many parks and its tree-lined streets which you can see on your trip through town.
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#2: Lincoln Village
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Median home price: $222,450
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,344
Driving distance from Columbus: 20 minutes
Lincoln Village, OH homes for sale
Lincoln Village, OH apartments for rent
Taking the second place on our list is Lincoln Village. Only 20 minutes from Columbus, you can visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in no time. When living in this suburb of 10,000 people, you can also spend time biking or hiking at one of the nearby parks.
#3: Groveport
Median home price: $232,000
Driving distance from Columbus: 20 minutes
Groveport, OH homes for sale
Groveport, OH apartments for rent
Claiming the third spot is Groveport. Just 20 minutes outside of Columbus, you’ll find the home prices are much less expensive. From parks and outdoor recreation to supporting local businesses, there are lots of things that make Groveport a great place to live. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable suburb, make sure to stop by Groveport Aquatic Center, Three Creeks Metro Park, and Motts Military Museum.
#4: West Jefferson
Median home price: $244,050
Driving distance from Columbus: 20 minutes
West Jefferson, OH homes for sale
West Jefferson, OH apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Groveport is West Jefferson, the next suburb on our list. With roughly 4,500 residents in this Columbus suburb, you’ll find much less hustle and bustle in West Jefferson. Don’t forget to check out one of the many nearby nature centers or parks if you move here.
#5: Minerva Park
Median home price: $251,000
Driving distance from Columbus: 20 minutes
Minerva Park, OH homes for sale
Minerva Park, OH apartments for rent
Drive 20 minutes outside of Columbus and you’ll find the suburb of Minerva Park, another great area to add to your list. With 1,300 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Columbus, without paying the premium for a home there. In Minerva Park, you’ll find there are several parks and recreational areas where you can spend the day.
#6: Huber Ridge
Median home price: $262,500
Driving distance from Columbus: 20 minutes
Huber Ridge, OH homes for sale
Huber Ridge, OH apartments for rent
Sixth on the list is another well-known Columbus suburb, Huber Ridge, where you’ll find the home prices are about $18K less than in Columbus. Huber Ridge has about 4,200 residents and is a great suburb to consider renting or buying a house in. From hiking to checking out one of the many local shops, you’ll have easy access to what makes this suburb unique.
#7: Reynoldsburg
Median home price: $280,000
Driving distance from Columbus: 20 minutes
Reynoldsburg, OH homes for sale
Reynoldsburg, OH apartments for rent
Coming in seventh place on our list of affordable Columbus suburbs is Reynoldsburg, which is almost a 20-minute drive into downtown. With a population of roughly 38,000, you’ll be living in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Reynoldsburg. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to visit the Blacklick Woods Nature Center and Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park.
#8: Commercial Point
Median home price: $281,000
Driving distance from Columbus: 25 minutes
Commercial Point, OH homes for sale
Commercial Point, OH apartments for rent
Living in Columbus, it’s likely that you’ve heard of Commercial Point, the eighth suburb on our list. About 2,100 people live in Commercial Point, so you’ll have a fraction of Columbus’s population while remaining only 25 minutes from the city. Once moving to Commercial Point, you can visit the Commercial Point Community Park, fish at the Commercial Point Fishing Pond, and hike at the Commercial Point Nature Preserve.
#9: Lake Darby
Median home price: $310,000
Driving distance from Columbus: 20 minutes
Lake Darby, OH homes for sale
Lake Darby, OH apartments for rent
To end our list of affordable Columbus suburbs is Lake Darby. Just about 20 minutes away from Columbus and with a median home price of $310,000, there are lots of reasons you may want to move to Lake Darby. Roughly 4,000 people live in this suburb, but there are plenty of activities to do including fishing, swimming, and hiking at nearby Darby Bend Lake.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Columbus and under a 25-minute drive from downtown Columbus. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during July 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com during July 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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