Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Davis, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 19.4% cheaper than Davis, CA. This translates to saving $1458 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Davis, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Davis, CA, you'd need approximately $132,499.31 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Davis, CA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 34.8% cheaper than in Davis, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,037/month in Davis, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Davis, CA to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Davis, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $1458 per month, or $17501 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Davis, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Davis, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Sacramento, CA area

Current salary in Davis, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.5K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $132.5K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 19.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,458

Savings

Annual Impact

$17.5K

Per year

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

Davis, CA

Population:66K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$828K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:81

Median Home:$263K

Davis, CA

The Golden State

66K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 66K 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: Davis, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Davis, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,149/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $1,096less	34.8%
📦Other	$1,726/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $170less	9.8%
🛒Groceries	$1,035/mo	$969/mo	↓ $65.78less	6.4%
⚡All Utilities	$518/mo	$464/mo	↓ $53.48less	10.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,357/mo	$1,366/mo	↑ $9.41more	0.7%
🏥Healthcare	$605/mo	$607/mo	↑ $1.74more	0.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 34.8%

Davis, CA

$3,149

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$1,096

less

📦Other

↓ 9.8%

Davis, CA

$1,726

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$170

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.4%

Davis, CA

$1,035

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$65.78

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 10.3%

Davis, CA

$518

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$53.48

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 0.7%

Davis, CA

$1,357

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$9.41

🏥Healthcare

↑ 0.3%

Davis, CA

$605

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$1.74

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Davis, CA 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$1,550

To$1,020

↓ $530

1 Bed

From$1,567

To$1,100

↓ $467

2 Bed

From$2,037

To$1,315

↓ $722

3 Bed

From$2,825

To$1,575

↓ $1,250

Davis, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,930–$1,930/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.

$8,391

Monthly in Davis, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$1,374

Difference

Home Values

Davis

Columbus

$828K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -1.5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +17%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$828K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 68% less expensive than Davis

Calculate payment - Davis Calculate payment - Columbus

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $6.2K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$517

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.1%

Rate difference

Davis, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

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

Davis, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.