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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in St. Paul, MN

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.0K in St. Paul, MN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Columbus, OH area
Overall Cost
16.7%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,250
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$15.0K
Per year

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

Columbus, OH

Population:906K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$263K

St. Paul, MN

Population:304K
Cost Index:
117
(17% above avg)
Median Home:$274K

Columbus, OH

The Buckeye State

906K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 906K residents.

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 304K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Columbus, OH vs St. Paul, MN

Housing
31.6%
Columbus, OH
$2,053
St. Paul, MN
$2,703
Difference
$650
more
Other
10.8%
Columbus, OH
$1,557
St. Paul, MN
$1,724
Difference
$167
more
Healthcare
24.5%
Columbus, OH
$607
St. Paul, MN
$756
Difference
$149
more
Groceries
6.2%
Columbus, OH
$969
St. Paul, MN
$1,029
Difference
$59.96
more
All Utilities
9.4%
Columbus, OH
$464
St. Paul, MN
$508
Difference
$43.71
more
Transportation
1.0%
Columbus, OH
$1,366
St. Paul, MN
$1,380
Difference
$13.66
more

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

St. Paul, MN 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$1,020
To$1,220
$200
1 Bed
From$1,100
To$1,380
$280
2 Bed
From$1,315
To$1,680
$365
3 Bed
From$1,575
To$2,225
$650
Columbus, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $870$1,790/mo

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250$1,680/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.

$7,017
Monthly in Columbus, OH
$8,100
Monthly in St. Paul, MN
$1,083
Difference

Home Values

Columbus
St. Paul
$263K
Median Value
-
↓ -0.4%
YoY Change
-
↑ +28.8%
5-Year Change
-
$95K - $406K
Price Range
-

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
$6.0K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$500
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.0%
Rate difference

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

St. Paul, MN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Minnesota State Tax
Effective: 7.0%
$10.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.6%
$47.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,546/month
$102.6K

Additional Tax Information

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:1.6%

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%
Property Tax:1.1%

💡 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

Columbus
St. Paul
53 Moderate
Air Quality
36 Good
41.3%
Good Air Days
72.4%
98 High
Climate Risk
95 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
+3.7°F
18 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days
+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
+3.7°F
18 days
Heat Days >95°F
14 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Ohio and Minnesota on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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