Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Chelsea, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 35.6% cheaper than Chelsea, MA. This translates to saving $2667 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Chelsea, MA, you'd need approximately $117,993.802 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 53.9% cheaper than in Chelsea, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,096/month in Chelsea, MA.

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

Moving from Chelsea, MA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $2667 per month, or $32006 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Chelsea, MA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Chelsea, MA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Chelsea, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.7K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $118.0K in Columbus, OH

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

Overall Cost

↓ 35.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,667

Savings

Annual Impact

$32.0K

Per year

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

Chelsea, MA

Population:38K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$516K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:64

Median Home:$263K

Chelsea, MA

The Bay State

38K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 38K 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: Chelsea, MA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Chelsea, MA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,451/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $2,398less	53.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,716/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $350less	20.4%
⚡All Utilities	$693/mo	$464/mo	↓ $229less	33.0%
📦Other	$1,710/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $154less	9.0%
🏥Healthcare	$720/mo	$607/mo	↓ $113less	15.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,045/mo	$969/mo	↓ $75.58less	7.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 53.9%

Chelsea, MA

$4,451

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$2,398

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 20.4%

Chelsea, MA

$1,716

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$350

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 33.0%

Chelsea, MA

$693

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$229

less

📦Other

↓ 9.0%

Chelsea, MA

$1,710

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$154

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.6%

Chelsea, MA

$720

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$113

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.2%

Chelsea, MA

$1,045

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$75.58

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Chelsea, 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$1,681

To$1,020

↓ $661

1 Bed

From$1,761

To$1,100

↓ $661

2 Bed

From$2,096

To$1,315

↓ $781

3 Bed

From$2,510

To$1,575

↓ $935

Chelsea, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,210–$2,210/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.

$10,335

Monthly in Chelsea, MA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$3,318

Difference

Home Values

Chelsea

Columbus

$516K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -0.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +18%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$516K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 49% less expensive than Chelsea

Calculate payment - Chelsea 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

Chelsea, 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

Chelsea, 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.