Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Crystal Lake, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 5.9% cheaper than Crystal Lake, IL. This translates to saving $445 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Crystal Lake, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Crystal Lake, IL, you'd need approximately $144,658.807 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Crystal Lake, IL and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 16.0% cheaper than in Crystal Lake, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,433/month in Crystal Lake, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Crystal Lake, IL to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Crystal Lake, IL to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $445 per month, or $5341 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Crystal Lake, IL vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Crystal Lake, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Crystal Lake, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $445/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.7K in Columbus, OH

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

Overall Cost

↓ 5.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$445

Savings

Annual Impact

$5.3K

Per year

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

Crystal Lake, IL

Population:41K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$408K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:94

Median Home:$263K

Crystal Lake, IL

The Prairie State

41K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 41K 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: Crystal Lake, IL vs Columbus, OH

Category	Crystal Lake, IL	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,443/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $390less	16.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,487/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $121less	8.1%
🏥Healthcare	$560/mo	$607/mo	↑ $47.61more	8.5%
⚡All Utilities	$488/mo	$464/mo	↓ $23.91less	4.9%
📦Other	$1,556/mo	$1,557/mo	↑ $1.10more	0.1%
🛒Groceries	$968/mo	$969/mo	↑ $0.98more	0.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 16.0%

Crystal Lake, IL

$2,443

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$390

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 8.1%

Crystal Lake, IL

$1,487

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$121

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 8.5%

Crystal Lake, IL

$560

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$47.61

⚡All Utilities

↓ 4.9%

Crystal Lake, IL

$488

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$23.91

less

📦Other

↑ 0.1%

Crystal Lake, IL

$1,556

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$1.10

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.1%

Crystal Lake, IL

$968

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$0.98

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Crystal Lake, IL 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$1,189

To$1,020

↓ $169

1 Bed

From$1,275

To$1,100

↓ $175

2 Bed

From$1,433

To$1,315

↓ $118

3 Bed

From$1,843

To$1,575

↓ $268

Crystal Lake, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,610–$1,780/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.

$7,502

Monthly in Crystal Lake, IL

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$485

Difference

Home Values

Crystal Lake

Columbus

$408K

Median Value

$263K

↑ +5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +46.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$349K - $466K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 36% less expensive than Crystal Lake

Calculate payment - Crystal Lake 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

Crystal Lake, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/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

Crystal Lake, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.