Columbus real estate vs inflation: did it beat the dollar?
227% × 46%
Updated June 1, 2026 · Redfin · BLS / FRED (CPIAUCNS)
Since 2013, Columbus real estate is up 227% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. Columbus real estate far outpaced inflation — but the ride was brutal: its worst drop was 16%. Figures in U.S. dollars.
Base 100 since 2013
Why compare Columbus home prices (US$/m²) and U.S. inflation (CPI-U)
Columbus is a mid-priced Midwestern market, Ohio's capital and largest city, anchored by state government, a major public university and a diversified base of insurance, logistics and a growing tech presence. Unlike the Rust Belt metros around it, Columbus has gained population steadily, and its housing stayed comparatively affordable while avoiding the deepest swings of the 2008 crash. It is the kind of stable, jobs-driven market where prices tend to track local growth rather than speculation. What you see below is the property's own value per square meter, not an owner's full return.
Returns by window
| Window | Columbus home prices (US$/m²) | U.S. inflation (CPI-U) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 1% | 4% |
| 5 years | 28% | 24% |
| 10 years | 109% | 39% |
| since 2013 | 227% | 46% |
The price of return: risk
| Asset | Annual volatility | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus real estate | 11% | -16% |
| Inflation (CPI) | 1% | -2% |
$10,000 in each, since 2013
| Asset | Value today |
|---|---|
| Columbus real estate | $32,686 |
| Inflation (CPI) | $14,553 |
Frequently asked questions
Did Columbus real estate beat inflation?
Over the period, Columbus real estate returned 227% while U.S. consumer prices rose 46%. The gap is what the asset earned beyond simply keeping pace with the dollar.
Does this account for the dollar losing value?
Yes. The inflation line is U.S. CPI, the measure of how much purchasing power the dollar lost over the same period. Returns above that line are gains in real terms.
Does a higher return mean a better investment?
Not on its own. A higher return came with higher risk here — the volatility and the largest drop on this page show how much the value swung along the way.
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Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.