Things to know before moving from Nebraska to Columbus, OH

Cost of living: Nebraska vs Columbus, OH

Nebraska Columbus
Average rent cost $987 $1,441
Average home value $259,443 $238,832
Average income (per capita) $71,722 $65,075
Unemployment rate 3% 6%
State income tax 7% 4%
  • Rent is about 46% more expensive in Columbus than in Nebraska.
  • Home prices are about 8% lower in Columbus than in Nebraska.
  • The average income is about 9% lower in Columbus than in Nebraska.
  • Columbus has a higher unemployment rate than Nebraska by about 111%.
  • Income taxes are 47% lower in Columbus than in Nebraska.

How life is different in Columbus from Nebraska

Columbus Nebraska
Population 905,748 1,978,379
Political leaning Republican 55-14 Republican 59.6-39.1
Summer high 85ºF 87ºF
Winter low 21ºF 13ºF
Annual rain 40" 27"
Annual snow 22" 28"
Crime index 49.65 21.72
  • The population of Columbus is approximately 54% lower than the population of Nebraska.
  • In the last presidential election, Columbus voted Republican and Nebraska voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Columbus is 85ºF and in Nebraska, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Columbus reaches the temperature of 21ºF and Nebraska gets down to 13ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Columbus vs 27 inches of rainfall in Nebraska.
  • In Columbus, it snows about 22 inches annually vs 28 inches of snow in Nebraska.
  • Columbus has a higher crime rate than Nebraska with a crime index of 49.65 vs 21.72.

Things to do in Columbus

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Columbus.

Museums in Columbustoggle

  • Beeler Gallery
  • Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
  • Central Ohio Fire Museum
  • Columbus Historical Society
  • Columbus Museum of Art
  • COSI
  • Hale Black Cultural Center
  • Historic Costume & Textile Collection
  • Jack Nicklaus Museum
  • Kelton House Museum and Garden
  • Museum of Biological Diversity
  • Museum of Classical Archaeology
  • Museum of Catholic Art and History
  • Ohio Craft Museum Fifth by Northwest
  • Ohio History Center
  • Ohio Statehouse
  • Ohio Village
  • Orton Geological Museum
  • Pizzuti Collection
  • Riffe Gallery Downtown
  • Thompson Library Gallery
  • Thurber House
  • Wexner Center for the Arts

Parks in Columbustoggle

  • Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Scioto Mile
  • Topiary Garden
  • Schiller Park
  • Whetstone Park / Park of Roses
  • Hayden Falls Park
  • Columbus Commons
  • Antrim Park
  • Goodale Park
  • Kelton House Museum & Garden
  • Scioto Audubon Metro Park

Sports Teams in Columbustoggle

  • Columbus Crew (MLS)
  • Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
  • Columbus Clippers (AAAE)

Universities in Columbustoggle

  • Ohio State University
  • Columbus State Community College
  • Capital University Law School
  • Columbus College of Art
  • Design, Fortis College
  • DeVry University
  • Ohio Business College
  • Miami-Jacobs Career College
  • Ohio Institute of Health Careers
  • Bradford School and Franklin University
  • Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary
  • Mount Carmel College of Nursing
  • Ohio Dominican University
  • Pontifical College Josephinum
  • Trinity Lutheran Seminary
  • Bexley's Capital University
  • Westerville's Otterbein University
  • Delaware's Ohio Wesleyan University.

Other considerations when moving to Columbus, OH

  • Weather: Columbus doesn't get the snowfall that more northern Ohio gets but it does have some of the severe weather that's common in the midwest such as strong lightning storms and hail. In general, you can expect all 4 seasons in Columbus so take that into account when choosing the time of the year that you move.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Ohio does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Ohio. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Nebraska vs. Columbus, OH

Comparing the pros of Nebraska vs. Columbus, OH:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Nebraska vs Columbus side-by-side.

Pros of living in Nebraska Pros of living in Columbus, OH
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
Four seasons Delicious food
Beautiful storms Bountiful arts and recreational activities
Abundant rivers Friendly people
Wide-open rural spaces Ample economic opportunity

Comparing the cons of living in Nebraska vs. Columbus, OH:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Nebraska for Columbus.

Cons of living in Nebraska Cons of living in Columbus, OH
Dull landscape Bad drivers
Natural disasters Terrible traffic
Bad weather Bad weather
Small-town life High taxes
Limited entertainment Limited public transportation

FAQ

How long does a move from Nebraska to Columbus take?

The time frame for a move from Nebraska to Columbus, OH, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Nebraska, the longer the drive time to Columbus will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Columbus from Nebraska can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Nebraska to Columbus?

Because of the 1007-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Nebraska to Columbus as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Columbus, OH?

With the summer highs of 85ºF and the winter lows of 21ºF, most people move to Columbus from Nebraska during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Columbus during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources