Ohio Real Estate Blog

If you’re looking for upscale living in Central Ohio, Columbus has no shortage of options, from historic brick-lined streets to planned golf course communities. Whether you want walkable urban energy or a quiet suburban feel, the Columbus metro area's priciest neighborhoods each offer something distinct.

Here's what you need to know about the most expensive places to buy a home in and around Columbus.

Expensive Places to Live Near Columbus: Quick Countdown

• 8. Victorian Village - $456,600: One of Columbus’ most walkable urban neighborhoods, filled with restored Victorian homes and easy access to the Short North
• 7. Worthington - $504,700: A historic suburb with a classic small-town feel, known for its walkable downtown, farmers market, and convenient commuter access
• 6. German Village - $616,800: A nationally recognized historic district famous for brick streets, beautifully preserved homes, and one of the city’s best dining scenes
• 5. Dublin - $634,100: A fast-growing suburb blending upscale neighborhoods, a vibrant walkable downtown, and one of Central Ohio’s strongest job markets
• 4. Powell - $649,600: A quiet suburb known for spacious homes, golf communities, and a charming small-town downtown district
• 3. Upper Arlington - $694,600: Columbus’ most prestigious suburb, known for stately homes and easy access to downtown and Ohio State
• 2. Bexley - $749,300: A historic enclave east of downtown featuring grand architecture, tree-lined streets, and one of the city’s strongest senses of tradition
• 1. New Albany - $1.04 million: A master-planned luxury community with Georgian-inspired homes, golf course estates, and miles of connected leisure trails

To give you some perspective for the rest of the article: the median sold price for homes for sale in Columbus is around $300,800 as of publishing. (Seasonal peak pricing.)

Victorian Village: Urban History Close to Everything

Victorian Village is one of Columbus' most distinctive urban neighborhoods, located just north of downtown, west of High Street, and immediately adjacent to the Short North Arts District.

Median sale prices are around $456,600. Not particularly high compared to places later in the list, but it's a true neighborhood rather than its own city. You live in the heart of Columbus, not a suburb.

Homes here date largely from the late 1800s and early 1900s and feature the ornate detailing that defines Victorian-era architecture, such as intricate woodwork, large front porches, and decorative facades. Each year, the Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens showcases the best examples throughout the neighborhood.

The neighborhood is compact and walkable, sitting at the intersection of downtown Columbus, Ohio State University, the Short North, and the Arena District. Goodale Park, the city's oldest downtown park, sits at the south end of the community and hosts free concerts, movies, ComFest, and other events throughout the year.

North Market, just blocks away, draws over a million visitors annually for shopping and food. High Street gives residents direct access to the Short North's restaurants, galleries, and nightlife.

Worthington: Small-Town Feel, Big Columbus Access

Worthington sits just north of Columbus along Route 315 and I-270. It's one of Central Ohio's oldest planned communities, founded in 1803, and it's still one of the most sought-after. Homes for sale in Worthington have a median sale price of about $504,700.

Homes range from classic bungalows and colonial-style houses to newer builds, with architectural variety throughout. The Worthington Parks system includes spaces from the small Selby Park to the Olentangy River Parks. The community trail system connects to Columbus' larger bike path network, including the 25-mile path running south to German Village.

The Old Worthington District along High Street is the city's main draw, with a compact, walkable historic stretch with local boutiques, cafes, the popular Whitney House, French classics at La Chatelaine, Natalie's Grandview, Dewey's, and the Worthington Farmers Market, which ranks among Columbus' favorites.

Commuting to Columbus is quick via Route 315, and I-270 provides easy regional access.

German Village: Brick Streets and a Neighborhood Unlike Any Other

German Village is widely considered one of the most idyllic urban neighborhoods in the country. Located just south of downtown Columbus, it's defined by meticulously restored 19th-century brick homes, cobblestone streets, lush private gardens, and one of the most distinctive restaurant scenes in the city. Exterior changes in German Village require review by the German Village Society, which helps maintain the neighborhood's historic character and property values.

Median home prices in German Village come in around $616,800, more expensive than Victorian Village. The neighborhood is surrounded by other historic areas, including the Brewery District, Merion Village, and Schumacher Place. Prices vary.

The neighborhood draws residents who want urban convenience without sacrificing character. Schiller Park, a 23.5-acre green space at the heart of the neighborhood, features a recreation center, pond, picnic areas, and an outdoor performance stage, home to Shakespeare in the Park each summer. A bike path heads north through Scioto Audubon Metro Park toward downtown and continues 25 miles to Antrim Park in Worthington.

Local institutions include the Book Loft (32 rooms of books in a sprawling historic building), Schmidt's Sausage Haus, Lindey's Restaurant & Bar, and Fox in the Snow Cafe. German Village Meeting Haus offers walking tours of the historic district.

Dublin: Sprawling Suburbs with a Walkable Core

Dublin sits about 15–25 minutes northwest of Columbus and offers one of the widest ranges of housing types and price points of any suburb on this list. However, the median sale price for homes in Dublin is around $634,100.

The community has several distinct pockets, each with its own feel.

Historic Dublin is the original village core along High Street near the Scioto River. Brick sidewalks, independent shops, and a tight-knit main street make it Dublin's most walkable area. The city's Historic District program governs renovations here.

Bridge Park delivers a more urban experience with mid-rise buildings, restaurants, hotels, and for-sale condos and townhomes ranging from the low $300,000s up to $700,000s and beyond. The Dublin Link pedestrian bridge connects Bridge Park to Historic Dublin across the river.

Muirfield Village is a well-established golf course community anchored by the Muirfield Village Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus design and home of the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament. Homes here commonly run from the mid $600,000s to $700,000s.

Beyond these areas, communities like Ballantrae, Tartan Fields, Jerome Village, and Glacier Ridge offer newer construction ranging from townhomes starting in the mid $300,000s to luxury builds well above $900,000.

Dublin also boasts over 135 miles of bike paths and trails, and hosts Fortune 500 headquarters, including Wendy's International and Cardinal Health.

Powell: Quiet Suburb with a Compact Downtown

Powell is north of Columbus and offers a distinctly low-key character.

The historic downtown core is compact, with brick-paved streets, local restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques clustered near a central green. Nocterra Brewing Co. is a local standout with an outdoor patio and live music in warmer months.

For outdoor recreation, Highbanks Metro Park and Alum Creek State Park are close by. Alum Creek in particular offers boating, fishing, and swimming when temperatures cooperate. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is nearby as well.

Homes for sale in Powell have a median price of roughly $649,600. Housing runs the range from established homes near downtown to newer planned subdivisions and golf course communities like Wedgewood Golf & Country Club, Kinsale Golf & Fitness, and Scioto Reserve Country Club.

Upper Arlington: Columbus' Wealthiest Suburb

Upper Arlington sits just northwest of downtown Columbus, and it consistently ranks at or near the top of every "most expensive" list in the region. According to Money, Inc., it's one of the richest neighborhoods in Ohio, with a median household income of approximately $123,000. (Several other entries in our list make Money Inc.'s list as well.)

Homes in Upper Arlington have a median sale price of about $694,600. The housing stock runs the gamut, from stately Tudors and Colonials in the historic south district (some dating to the 1920s), post-war ranches throughout central UA, and newer custom builds on the edges of the city. Tree-lined streets and well-kept properties are the norm here, not the exception.

Residents are close to The Ohio State University to the east and Griggs Reservoir to the west. The Lane Avenue and Kingsdale shopping districts handle daily errands. Northam Park anchors the community calendar with events year-round. Getting downtown takes about 10–15 minutes by car via Route 315.

Bexley: Historic Prestige Just East of Downtown

Bexley is roughly three miles east of downtown Columbus and has been one of the city's most coveted addresses since it was incorporated in 1908. Homes for sale in Bexley are going for a median price of around $749,300, around 18% higher than they sold for this time last year.

The neighborhood splits into distinct tiers. North Bexley is known for grand estates and mansions, including the Governor's Residence, with Tudor, Georgian, and French Country architecture on sprawling lots. Central Bexley offers substantial homes with great access to local schools. South Bexley has more modest bungalows and cottages, making it the most accessible entry point into the community.

Main Street runs through the center of town with restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and the landmark Drexel Theatre. Jeffrey Park follows Alum Creek with walking trails. Capital University adds a cultural presence on the eastern side of the city.

New Albany: Planned Luxury Northeast of Columbus

New Albany sits northeast of Columbus and feels unlike any other suburb in Central Ohio. The entire community was designed with intention, featuring Georgian-inspired architecture, tree-lined parkways, and over 80 miles of leisure trails connecting neighborhoods to parks, schools, and the Village Center.

At the heart of the community is the Village Center and Market Square, where coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques line walkable streets. Beyond that, the New Albany Country Club (designed by Jack Nicklaus) and New Albany Links Golf Club anchor two of the most prestigious residential enclaves in the area. Homes in these golf course communities range from elegant village residences up to expansive custom estates.

The Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany offers fitness, wellness, and community programming. The broader trail system makes it easy to get around without a car for shorter trips, although most residents drive for commuting and larger errands.

But be prepared for the price tag. The typical sale price for homes in New Albany sits at an eye-popping $1.04 million!

Ready to Find Your Columbus Home?

Each of these neighborhoods offers something different. You might want the walkable energy of German Village or Victorian Village, the planned trails and village charm of New Albany, or the established prestige of Bexley or Upper Arlington.

The right fit depends on your lifestyle, your commute, and what matters most day to day for your life in Columbus. An agent who knows these markets can help you figure out where your money goes furthest and which streets actually feel like home.