2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Normal, IL vs Columbus, OH

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Highlights
Are people in Columbus older or younger than people in Normal?
- The Median Age in Columbus is 7.4 years older than in Normal.

Are housing costs cheaper in Columbus or Normal?
- Columbus housing costs are 4.9% more expensive than Normal housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Columbus or Normal?
- The average commute for residents of Columbus is 3.8 minutes longer than it is for residents of Normal.

Things to do in Normal?
Normal, Illinois is a vibrant city located in McLean County, just north of Bloomington-Normal. It is home to Illinois State University and has a bustling downtown area with numerous shops, restaurants, and businesses. Normal is a major hub in the region for healthcare, finance and education opportunities. There are abundant recreational options including natural areas, parks and trails that offer plenty of outdoor activities. A variety of cultural amenities are also available such as theater performances, festivals, art galleries and other entertainment venues that give residents something to do in their spare time. Normal is truly a wonderful place where people can come together to work, play, learn and live!

Things to do in Columbus?
Columbus, Ohio offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for culture and art or outdoor recreation, there's plenty to explore in this vibrant city. Discover world-class museums like the COSI Science center, historical attractions like German Village or take a stroll through one of the many nearby parks. Sports fanatics can also enjoy some of the best sporting events in the Midwest at Nationwide Arena and Huntington Park. With its diverse offerings and plentiful amenities, Columbus is an ideal destination to explore!

 Normal, ILColumbus, OHUnited States
 Population  Unlock898,143329,725,481
 Median Income$58,564  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock32.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$209,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.7%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.8  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Normal    5 Reviews

While not a perfect town by any stretch of the imagination, I have lived in Normal my entire life and I have to say that there are FAR worse places one could live. The  More

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Over 16 years ago

I would like to know more about the quality of education at Illinois State  More

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With relatively low crime, good schools and excellent access to higher education, Normal is a great place to raise a family. The city is trying to update its city center  More

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Reviews for Columbus    156 Reviews

Ellenore · 
Over 2 years ago

I've lived here for my whole life! Awesome place to  More

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We lived in Columbus from 2014-2022, originally from Denver work has taken us to Charlotte, NC, Austin and Atlanta for perspective. One of our biggest reasons for  More

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Over 3 years ago

The city has nice areas and old/ugly areas that look like the remains of a civil war. The nice areas are pretty. Traffic isn't bad compared to Cali but the summer  More

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