Cost of living in Columbus, OH Livability score 69 · cost-of-living index 94.6 (US = 100)
How Columbus compares Where Columbus falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 95 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 95 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $334k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $334k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $202 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $202 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.2% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.2% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.46% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.46% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 300 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 300 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 19.5 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 19.5 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 85° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 85° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 20° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 20° Map of Columbus Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
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Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 94.6 #88 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 94.1 #37 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.38 #88 of 200 Median household income $76,541 #73 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $44,805 #46 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 4.20% #34 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +5.6% #70 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $333,537 #94 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.4× #75 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +1.2% #106 of 200 Price per square foot $202 #118 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,650 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,524 #84 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 5,572 Median days on market 5 #1 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 10.0% #97 of 200 Combined sales tax 7.24% #91 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 3.50% Capital gains tax 3.50% #62 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.46% #143 of 200 Median property tax paid $3,677 #145 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,400 #32 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $10,000 #58 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $100 #83 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None #1 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 14 Avg commute to work 24 min #92 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 19.5¢/kWh #130 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $175 #130 of 200 Gasoline $3.25/gal #83 of 200 Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $78 #139 of 200 Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $104 #101 of 200 Home internet (avg monthly bill) $76 #20 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,300 #22 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,300 #9 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $600 #16 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 42 #1 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 800 #49 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 5,700 #141 of 200 Avg summer high 85°F #59 of 200 Avg winter low 20°F #147 of 200 Annual precipitation 41.6" #94 of 200 Annual snowfall 28.2" #141 of 200 Sunshine (% of possible) 50% #175 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6a Frost window 04-30 → 10-15
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 300 #28 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 1,800 #52 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 89 #88 of 200 Parks 69 Hiking areas 11 Golf courses 22 Shooting ranges 8 Lakes 12
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.