Is Wichita, KS cheaper than Columbus, OH?

Based on cost of living data, Wichita, KS is 4.4% cheaper than Columbus, OH. This translates to saving $333 per month.

What salary do I need in Wichita, KS to live like I do in Columbus, OH?

If you earn $150,000 in Columbus, OH, you'd need approximately $146,000 in Wichita, KS to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Columbus, OH and Wichita, KS?

Housing in Wichita, KS is 10.1% cheaper than in Columbus, OH. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,110/month in Wichita, KS compared to $1,315/month in Columbus, OH.

How much can I save per month by moving from Columbus, OH to Wichita, KS?

Moving from Columbus, OH to Wichita, KS could save you approximately $333 per month, or $4000 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Columbus, OH vs Wichita, KS: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Columbus, OH

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $333/month moving to Wichita, KS

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.0K in Wichita, KS

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

Overall Cost

↓ 4.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$333

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.0K

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

Wichita, KS

Population:396K

Cost Index:

(4% below avg)

Median Home:$202K

Columbus, OH

The Buckeye State

906K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Wichita, KS

The Sunflower State

396K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 396K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Columbus, OH vs Wichita, KS

Category	Columbus, OH	Wichita, KS	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,053/mo	$1,845/mo	↓ $208less	10.1%
Transportation	$1,366/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $164less	12.0%
Other	$1,557/mo	$1,641/mo	↑ $83.70more	5.4%
Groceries	$969/mo	$889/mo	↓ $79.94less	8.2%
All Utilities	$464/mo	$535/mo	↑ $71.03more	15.3%
Healthcare	$607/mo	$582/mo	↓ $24.78less	4.1%

Housing

↓ 10.1%

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Wichita, KS

$1,845

Difference

$208

less

Transportation

↓ 12.0%

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Wichita, KS

$1,202

Difference

$164

less

Other

↑ 5.4%

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Wichita, KS

$1,641

Difference

$83.70

Groceries

↓ 8.2%

Columbus, OH

$969

Wichita, KS

$889

Difference

$79.94

less

All Utilities

↑ 15.3%

Columbus, OH

$464

Wichita, KS

$535

Difference

$71.03

Healthcare

↓ 4.1%

Columbus, OH

$607

Wichita, KS

$582

Difference

$24.78

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Wichita, KS 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$790

↓ $230

1 Bed

From$1,100

To$855

↓ $245

2 Bed

From$1,315

To$1,110

↓ $205

3 Bed

From$1,575

To$1,455

↓ $120

Columbus, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,790/mo

Wichita, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $680–$1,280/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

$6,695

Monthly in Wichita, KS

$322

Difference

Home Values

Columbus

Wichita

$263K

Median Value

$202K

↓ -0.4%

YoY Change

↑ +0.2%

↑ +28.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.5%

$95K - $406K

Price Range

$86K - $424K

Homes in Wichita are 23% less expensive than Columbus

Calculate payment - Columbus Calculate payment - Wichita

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$333

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.7%

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

Wichita, KS

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kansas State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,714/month

$104.6K

Additional Tax Information

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

Wichita, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%

Property Tax:1.3%

💡 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

Wichita

53 Moderate

Air Quality

43 Good

41.3%

Good Air Days

75.1%

98 High

Climate Risk

97 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

18 days

Heat Days >95°F

61 days

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

18 days

Heat Days >95°F

61 days

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

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Columbus, OH on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Wichita, KS

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd save $333/month moving to Wichita, KS

Columbus, OH

Wichita, KS

Columbus, OH

Wichita, KS

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code22 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code18 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP21 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP18 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Columbus, OH

Wichita, KS

Additional Tax Information

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Wichita, KS Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Wichita, KS