Data Centers in Columbus

Columbus – Midwest Hub for Cloud and Enterprise

Columbus is a premier data center market for enterprises requiring low-latency access to the American Midwest and East Coast. Its robust connectivity, direct cloud on-ramps, and low disaster risk profile make it a strategic location for deploying critical infrastructure to protect revenue and ensure uptime. The region's attractive power grid and business-friendly climate further solidify its position as a top-tier North American data hub.

Columbus: At A Glance

Network & Connectivity Ecosystem

Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Columbus is home to a dense and competitive network ecosystem with over 19 distinct providers operating in the metro area, as of September 2025. The market offers excellent options for carrier-neutral colocation, providing redundant connectivity paths essential for resilient architectures.

Direct Cloud On-Ramps: With over 2 dedicated on-ramps and 3 major cloud regions locally, Columbus provides direct, low-latency private access to core cloud services, as of September 2025. Available providers include:

• AWS
• Google Cloud (GCP)

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): While public peering is not as centralized as in coastal markets, the Ohio IX facilitates local traffic exchange. Most large-scale peering occurs privately within the major carrier-neutral data centers, ensuring efficient routes to regional and national networks.

Bare Metal: Bare metal server solutions are readily available from multiple providers in the Columbus market. Options include services from providers like ColoCrossing, offering dedicated infrastructure for performance-sensitive workloads.

Power Analysis

Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates in the Columbus region are competitive, typically ranging from $0.07 to $0.09 per kWh, as of September 2025. This cost advantage, supported by a power mix dominated by natural gas (59% as of 2023), allows businesses to scale high-density deployments more economically.

Power Grid Reliability: The electrical grid serving the primary data center zones in Columbus is well-engineered and robust. Facilities are typically supported by redundant power feeds from separate substations, ensuring high levels of uptime for critical operations.

Market Access, Business & Tax Climate

Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Columbus are strategically located to serve the city's financial, insurance, and retail headquarters, along with the extensive logistics and distribution centers in the surrounding area. This proximity provides low-latency connectivity for local enterprise and research institutions.

Regional Market Reach: From Columbus, organizations can effectively serve a massive population across the Midwest and Northeast with minimal latency. Its central location makes it an ideal disaster recovery site for companies in Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C.

Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Ohio provides significant tax incentives for data center development. These negotiated agreements can substantially lower the total cost of ownership for large capital investments, making the region financially attractive for new builds and major deployments.

Natural Disaster Risk

Columbus has a very low risk profile for natural disasters, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.50 out of 100, as of September 2025. This minimizes environmental threats to infrastructure uptime and operational stability. Key risks are primarily limited to seasonal weather events.

The main hazards for the region include:

• Tornado
• Severe Wind
• Winter Weather
• Hail
• Riverine Flooding
• Lightning