Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Federal Way, WA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 18.9% cheaper than Federal Way, WA. This translates to saving $1420 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Federal Way, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Federal Way, WA, you'd need approximately $132,962.754 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Federal Way, WA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 31.8% cheaper than in Federal Way, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,883/month in Federal Way, WA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Federal Way, WA to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Federal Way, WA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $1420 per month, or $17037 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Federal Way, WA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Federal Way, WA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tacoma, WA area

Current salary in Federal Way, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.4K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $133.0K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↓ 18.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,420

Savings

Annual Impact

$17.0K

Per year

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

Federal Way, WA

Population:98K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$575K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:81

Median Home:$263K

Federal Way, WA

The Evergreen State

98K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 98K residents.

💡 Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

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: Federal Way, WA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Federal Way, WA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,010/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $957less	31.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,865/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $499less	26.8%
🏥Healthcare	$817/mo	$607/mo	↓ $210less	25.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,070/mo	$969/mo	↓ $100less	9.4%
📦Other	$1,612/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $54.89less	3.4%
⚡All Utilities	$477/mo	$464/mo	↓ $12.15less	2.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 31.8%

Federal Way, WA

$3,010

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$957

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 26.8%

Federal Way, WA

$1,865

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$499

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 25.7%

Federal Way, WA

$817

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$210

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.4%

Federal Way, WA

$1,070

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$100

less

📦Other

↓ 3.4%

Federal Way, WA

$1,612

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$54.89

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.5%

Federal Way, WA

$477

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$12.15

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Federal Way, WA 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$1,562

To$1,020

↓ $542

1 Bed

From$1,616

To$1,100

↓ $516

2 Bed

From$1,883

To$1,315

↓ $568

3 Bed

From$2,468

To$1,575

↓ $893

Federal Way, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,880–$1,990/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.

$8,850

Monthly in Federal Way, WA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$1,834

Difference

Home Values

Federal Way

Columbus

$575K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -1.6%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +28.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$549K - $601K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 54% less expensive than Federal Way

Calculate payment - Federal Way Calculate payment - Columbus

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.4K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$369

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.0%

Rate difference

Federal Way, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Federal Way, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.