Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Fountain Valley, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 39.3% cheaper than Fountain Valley, CA. This translates to saving $2947 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Fountain Valley, CA, you'd need approximately $114,639.945 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 60.5% cheaper than in Fountain Valley, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,815/month in Fountain Valley, CA.

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

Moving from Fountain Valley, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $2947 per month, or $35360 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fountain Valley, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fountain Valley, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Santa Ana, CA area

Current salary in Fountain Valley, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.9K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $114.6K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 39.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,947

Savings

Annual Impact

$35.4K

Per year

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

Fountain Valley, CA

Population:55K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.33M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:61

Median Home:$263K

Fountain Valley, CA

The Golden State

55K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 55K 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: Fountain Valley, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Fountain Valley, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,201/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $3,148less	60.5%
🚗Transportation	$2,078/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $712less	34.3%
📦Other	$1,660/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $103less	6.2%
⚡All Utilities	$547/mo	$464/mo	↓ $82.37less	15.1%
🏥Healthcare	$541/mo	$607/mo	↑ $66.17more	12.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,020/mo	$969/mo	↓ $50.34less	4.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 60.5%

Fountain Valley, CA

$5,201

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$3,148

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 34.3%

Fountain Valley, CA

$2,078

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$712

less

📦Other

↓ 6.2%

Fountain Valley, CA

$1,660

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$103

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 15.1%

Fountain Valley, CA

$547

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$82.37

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 12.2%

Fountain Valley, CA

$541

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$66.17

🛒Groceries

↓ 4.9%

Fountain Valley, CA

$1,020

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$50.34

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Fountain Valley, 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$2,332

To$1,020

↓ $1,312

1 Bed

From$2,389

To$1,100

↓ $1,289

2 Bed

From$2,815

To$1,315

↓ $1,500

3 Bed

From$3,821

To$1,575

↓ $2,246

Fountain Valley, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,920–$2,920/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.

$11,046

Monthly in Fountain Valley, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$4,029

Difference

Home Values

Fountain Valley

Columbus

$1.33M

Median Value

$263K

↑ +2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +55%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$1.33M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 80% less expensive than Fountain Valley

Calculate payment - Fountain Valley 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

Fountain Valley, 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

Fountain Valley, 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.