Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Lake Stevens, WA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 43.0% cheaper than Lake Stevens, WA. This translates to saving $3223 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Lake Stevens, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Lake Stevens, WA, you'd need approximately $111,329.349 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lake Stevens, WA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 67.0% cheaper than in Lake Stevens, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,059/month in Lake Stevens, WA.

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

Moving from Lake Stevens, WA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3223 per month, or $38671 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lake Stevens, WA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lake Stevens, WA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Seattle, WA area

Current salary in Lake Stevens, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.2K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $111.3K in Columbus, OH

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

Overall Cost

↓ 43.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,223

Savings

Annual Impact

$38.7K

Per year

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

Lake Stevens, WA

Population:41K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$698K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:57

Median Home:$263K

Lake Stevens, WA

The Evergreen State

41K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 41K 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: Lake Stevens, WA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Lake Stevens, WA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,223/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $4,170less	67.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,742/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $376less	21.6%
📦Other	$1,812/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $255less	14.1%
🏥Healthcare	$789/mo	$607/mo	↓ $182less	23.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,034/mo	$969/mo	↓ $64.42less	6.2%
⚡All Utilities	$461/mo	$464/mo	↑ $3.88more	0.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 67.0%

Lake Stevens, WA

$6,223

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$4,170

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 21.6%

Lake Stevens, WA

$1,742

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$376

less

📦Other

↓ 14.1%

Lake Stevens, WA

$1,812

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$255

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.1%

Lake Stevens, WA

$789

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$182

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.2%

Lake Stevens, WA

$1,034

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$64.42

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 0.8%

Lake Stevens, WA

$461

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$3.88

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Lake Stevens, 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$1,708

To$1,020

↓ $688

1 Bed

From$1,770

To$1,100

↓ $670

2 Bed

From$2,059

To$1,315

↓ $744

3 Bed

From$2,690

To$1,575

↓ $1,115

Lake Stevens, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,270–$2,270/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.

$12,061

Monthly in Lake Stevens, WA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$5,044

Difference

Home Values

Lake Stevens

Columbus

$698K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -1.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +37.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$698K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 62% less expensive than Lake Stevens

Calculate payment - Lake Stevens 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

Lake Stevens, 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

Lake Stevens, 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.