Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Charlottesville, VA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 5.5% cheaper than Charlottesville, VA. This translates to saving $409 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Charlottesville, VA?

If you earn $150,000 in Charlottesville, VA, you'd need approximately $145,094.265 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Charlottesville, VA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 5.9% cheaper than in Charlottesville, VA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,570/month in Charlottesville, VA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Charlottesville, VA to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Charlottesville, VA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $409 per month, or $4906 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Charlottesville, VA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Charlottesville, VA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Richmond, VA area

Current salary in Charlottesville, VA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $409/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.1K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 5.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$409

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.9K

Per year

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

Charlottesville, VA

Population:45K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$514K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:95

Median Home:$263K

Charlottesville, VA

The Old Dominion State

45K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 45K 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: Charlottesville, VA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Charlottesville, VA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,222/mo	$1,366/mo	↑ $144more	11.8%
🏠Housing	$2,182/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $129less	5.9%
📦Other	$1,673/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $116less	7.0%
⚡All Utilities	$560/mo	$464/mo	↓ $95.31less	17.0%
🛒Groceries	$936/mo	$969/mo	↑ $33.35more	3.6%
🏥Healthcare	$617/mo	$607/mo	↓ $9.39less	1.5%

🚗Transportation

↑ 11.8%

Charlottesville, VA

$1,222

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$144

🏠Housing

↓ 5.9%

Charlottesville, VA

$2,182

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$129

less

📦Other

↓ 7.0%

Charlottesville, VA

$1,673

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$116

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 17.0%

Charlottesville, VA

$560

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$95.31

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.6%

Charlottesville, VA

$936

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$33.35

🏥Healthcare

↓ 1.5%

Charlottesville, VA

$617

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$9.39

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Charlottesville, VA 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$1,222

To$1,020

↓ $202

1 Bed

From$1,375

To$1,100

↓ $275

2 Bed

From$1,570

To$1,315

↓ $255

3 Bed

From$1,909

To$1,575

↓ $334

Charlottesville, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,700–$1,700/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.

$7,189

Monthly in Charlottesville, VA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$173

Difference

Home Values

Charlottesville

Columbus

$514K

Median Value

$263K

↑ +1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +34.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$514K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 49% less expensive than Charlottesville

Calculate payment - Charlottesville Calculate payment - Columbus

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.9K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$328

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.6%

Rate difference

Charlottesville, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

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

Charlottesville, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

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.