Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Clifton, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 14.3% cheaper than Clifton, NJ. This translates to saving $1074 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Clifton, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Clifton, NJ, you'd need approximately $137,108.035 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Clifton, NJ and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 3.7% more expensive than in Clifton, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,910/month in Clifton, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Clifton, NJ to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Clifton, NJ to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $1074 per month, or $12892 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Clifton, NJ vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Clifton, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Clifton, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.1K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $137.1K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 14.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,074

Savings

Annual Impact

$12.9K

Per year

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

Clifton, NJ

Population:88K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$599K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:86

Median Home:$263K

Clifton, NJ

The Garden State

88K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 88K 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: Clifton, NJ vs Columbus, OH

Category	Clifton, NJ	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,970/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $413less	21.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,555/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $189less	12.1%
⚡All Utilities	$587/mo	$464/mo	↓ $123less	20.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,084/mo	$969/mo	↓ $115less	10.6%
🏠Housing	$1,979/mo	$2,053/mo	↑ $73.82more	3.7%
🏥Healthcare	$678/mo	$607/mo	↓ $71.08less	10.5%

📦Other

↓ 21.0%

Clifton, NJ

$1,970

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$413

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 12.1%

Clifton, NJ

$1,555

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$189

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 20.9%

Clifton, NJ

$587

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$123

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.6%

Clifton, NJ

$1,084

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$115

less

🏠Housing

↑ 3.7%

Clifton, NJ

$1,979

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$73.82

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.5%

Clifton, NJ

$678

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$71.08

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Clifton, NJ 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$1,463

To$1,020

↓ $443

1 Bed

From$1,666

To$1,100

↓ $566

2 Bed

From$1,910

To$1,315

↓ $595

3 Bed

From$2,331

To$1,575

↓ $756

Clifton, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,960–$2,280/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.

$7,854

Monthly in Clifton, NJ

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$837

Difference

Home Values

Clifton

Columbus

$599K

Median Value

$263K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +44%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$574K - $639K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 56% less expensive than Clifton

Calculate payment - Clifton Calculate payment - Columbus

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.0K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$250

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.0%

Rate difference

Clifton, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Clifton, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.