What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Boston, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you'd need approximately $114,362.416 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Boston, MA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 61.1% cheaper than in Boston, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $3,865/month in Boston, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Boston, MA to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Boston, MA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $2970 per month, or $35638 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Boston vs Columbus: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Q: Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Boston, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 39.6% cheaper than Boston, MA. This translates to saving $2970 per month.

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Moving from Beantown to the Arch City? You're not alone. Columbus's appeal, from diverse economy to food scene growth, is drawing residents away from Boston's higher costs.

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Boston, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.0K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $114.4K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 39.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,970

Savings

Annual Impact

$35.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$961K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:

(40% below avg)

Median Home:$263K

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

Columbus, OH

The Buckeye State

906K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 906K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Boston, MA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Boston, MA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
Housing	$5,275/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $3,222less	61.1%
Transportation	$1,830/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $464less	25.4%
Other	$1,825/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $268less	14.7%
All Utilities	$716/mo	$464/mo	↓ $251less	35.1%
Healthcare	$743/mo	$607/mo	↓ $136less	18.3%
Groceries	$1,079/mo	$969/mo	↓ $110less	10.2%

Housing

↓ 61.1%

Boston, MA

$5,275

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$3,222

less

Transportation

↓ 25.4%

Boston, MA

$1,830

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$464

less

Other

↓ 14.7%

Boston, MA

$1,825

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$268

less

All Utilities

↓ 35.1%

Boston, MA

$716

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$251

less

Healthcare

↓ 18.3%

Boston, MA

$743

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$136

less

Groceries

↓ 10.2%

Boston, MA

$1,079

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$110

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Columbus, OH: Columbus Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)

Boston, MA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,095

To$1,020

↓ $2,075

1 Bed

From$3,255

To$1,100

↓ $2,155

2 Bed

From$3,865

To$1,315

↓ $2,550

3 Bed

From$4,630

To$1,575

↓ $3,055

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/mo

Columbus, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,790/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$4,452

Difference

Home Values

Boston

Columbus

$961K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +7%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$709K - $3.40M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 73% less expensive than Boston

Calculate payment - Boston Calculate payment - Columbus

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$256

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.0%

Rate difference

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Columbus, OH

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Ohio State Tax

Effective: 3.0%

$4.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.6%

$41.4K

Take-Home Pay

$9,047/month

$108.6K

Additional Tax Information

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Boston

Columbus

36 Good

Air Quality

53 Moderate

79.5%

Good Air Days

41.3%

94 Moderate

Climate Risk

98 High

🌊🌅🌀

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

6 days

Heat Days >95°F

18 days

▲+2.5°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

6 days

Heat Days >95°F

18 days

What to Consider When Moving from Boston, MA to Columbus, OH

Relocating from Boston, MA to Columbus, OH involves more than just comparing rent prices. While the overall cost of living is about 40% lower in Columbus, OH, your actual experience will depend on your lifestyle, job situation, and priorities. Here are the key factors to weigh before making the move.

Housing & Rent

Housing is typically the largest line item in any budget, and it’s where the biggest differences show up between cities. In this comparison, housing in Columbus, OH is 61% cheaper than in Boston, MA. Keep in mind that neighborhood choice within a city can swing rent by 30–50%, so research specific areas — not just city averages — before signing a lease. If you’re buying, factor in property tax rates, which vary significantly by county and state.

Job Market & Salary Adjustments

A lower cost of living doesn’t help if your salary drops proportionally. Before committing to a move, research whether employers in Columbus, OH pay comparable wages for your role. Remote workers may keep their current salary, but some companies adjust pay based on location. Use the salary calculator above to see what you’d need to earn in Columbus, OH to match your current standard of living in Boston, MA.

Taxes & Take-Home Pay

State income tax, property tax, and sales tax all affect how far your paycheck stretches. Some states have no income tax but make up for it with higher property or sales taxes. The tax comparison section above breaks down how your take-home pay would change. Don’t forget about vehicle registration fees, tolls, and other state-specific costs that add up over a year.

Quality of Life & Lifestyle Fit

Numbers only tell part of the story. Consider climate preferences, commute times, proximity to family, school quality if you have children, healthcare access, and the general “feel” of a city. A place that’s 15% cheaper might not be worth it if it means a longer commute or fewer amenities you value. If possible, visit Columbus, OH for a week before making a final decision — experiencing the day-to-day rhythm matters more than any spreadsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions: Boston, MA vs Columbus, OH

Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Boston, MA?

Yes, Columbus, OH is about 39.6% cheaper than Boston, MA. You could save approximately $2,970/month on a $150,000 salary. Housing costs are 61% lower in Columbus, OH.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to match my lifestyle in Boston, MA?

If you currently earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you would need approximately $114,362 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and other typical expenses. Use the salary input above to adjust this based on your actual income.

How does rent compare between Boston, MA and Columbus, OH?

A two-bedroom apartment averages $3,865/month in Boston, MA compared to $1,315/month in Columbus, OH. One-bedroom apartments are $3,255/month in Boston, MA vs $1,100/month in Columbus, OH. These are area-wide medians — specific neighborhoods can vary significantly. Check the ZIP-level rent breakdown above for more granular data.

Are groceries more expensive in Boston, MA or Columbus, OH?

Groceries are about 10% cheaper in Columbus, OH than in Boston, MA, saving a typical household roughly $110/month on food.

What is the best time to move from Boston, MA to Columbus, OH?

Most people find that moving during the off-season (October through March) results in lower moving costs, since demand for movers and rental trucks drops. If you're renting, you may also find more negotiable lease terms during winter months. However, if you have school-age children, summer moves allow for a smoother school transition. For the best combination of availability and price, consider moving in early fall or late spring.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Massachusetts and Ohio on TaxTakeHome.com