Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $732/month more in Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $158.8K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Cleveland-Elyria, OH area
Overall Cost
9.8%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$732
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$8.8K
Per year

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

Cleveland, OH

Population:384K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$128K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K
Cost Index:
110
(10% above avg)
Median Home:$263K

Cleveland, OH

The Buckeye State

384K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 384K 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: Cleveland, OH vs Columbus, OH

Housing
23.4%
Cleveland, OH
$1,663
Columbus, OH
$2,053
Difference
$390
more
Healthcare
15.3%
Cleveland, OH
$527
Columbus, OH
$607
Difference
$80.54
more
Groceries
0.0%
Cleveland, OH
$969
Columbus, OH
$969
Difference
$0
same
Transportation
0.0%
Cleveland, OH
$1,366
Columbus, OH
$1,366
Difference
$0
same
All Utilities
0.0%
Cleveland, OH
$464
Columbus, OH
$464
Difference
$0
same
Other
0.0%
Cleveland, OH
$1,557
Columbus, OH
$1,557
Difference
$0
same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)
Columbus, OH: Columbus Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)
Net difference$0/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$860
To$1,020
$160
1 Bed
From$980
To$1,100
$120
2 Bed
From$1,180
To$1,315
$135
3 Bed
From$1,520
To$1,575
$55.00
Cleveland, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $810$1,590/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.

$6,546
Monthly in Cleveland, OH
$7,017
Monthly in Columbus, OH
$470
Difference

Home Values

Cleveland
Columbus
$128K
Median Value
$263K
↓ -2.1%
YoY Change
↓ -0.4%
↑ +21.7%
5-Year Change
↑ +28.8%
$59K - $291K
Price Range
$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 105% more expensive than Cleveland

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
$0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Cleveland, 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

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

Cleveland, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:1.6%

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

Cleveland
Columbus
54 Moderate
Air Quality
53 Moderate
37.2%
Good Air Days
41.3%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
+3.1°F
11 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days
+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
+3.1°F
11 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days

Similar cost to Columbus, OH

Other cities in a similar price range

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison