Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Chapel Hill, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 6.6% cheaper than Chapel Hill, NC. This translates to saving $498 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Chapel Hill, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Chapel Hill, NC, you'd need approximately $144,020.396 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Chapel Hill, NC and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 10.7% cheaper than in Chapel Hill, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,483/month in Chapel Hill, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Chapel Hill, NC to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Chapel Hill, NC to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $498 per month, or $5980 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Chapel Hill, NC vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Chapel Hill, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Durham, NC area

Current salary in Chapel Hill, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $498/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.0K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↓ 6.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$498

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.0K

Per year

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

Chapel Hill, NC

Population:62K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$612K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:93

Median Home:$263K

Chapel Hill, NC

The Tar Heel State

62K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 62K residents.

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: Chapel Hill, NC vs Columbus, OH

Category	Chapel Hill, NC	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,300/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $247less	10.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,238/mo	$1,366/mo	↑ $128more	10.3%
📦Other	$1,678/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $122less	7.2%
⚡All Utilities	$537/mo	$464/mo	↓ $72.05less	13.4%
🛒Groceries	$942/mo	$969/mo	↑ $27.39more	2.9%
🏥Healthcare	$590/mo	$607/mo	↑ $17.10more	2.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 10.7%

Chapel Hill, NC

$2,300

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$247

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 10.3%

Chapel Hill, NC

$1,238

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$128

📦Other

↓ 7.2%

Chapel Hill, NC

$1,678

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$122

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 13.4%

Chapel Hill, NC

$537

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$72.05

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.9%

Chapel Hill, NC

$942

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$27.39

🏥Healthcare

↑ 2.9%

Chapel Hill, NC

$590

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$17.10

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Chapel Hill, NC 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$1,229

To$1,020

↓ $209

1 Bed

From$1,307

To$1,100

↓ $207

2 Bed

From$1,483

To$1,315

↓ $168

3 Bed

From$1,836

To$1,575

↓ $261

Chapel Hill, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,510–$1,680/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.

$7,285

Monthly in Chapel Hill, NC

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$268

Difference

Home Values

Chapel Hill

Columbus

$612K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +45.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$594K - $629K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 57% less expensive than Chapel Hill

Calculate payment - Chapel Hill Calculate payment - Columbus

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$225

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Chapel Hill, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Chapel Hill, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.