Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Los Altos, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 45.2% cheaper than Los Altos, CA. This translates to saving $3394 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Los Altos, CA, you'd need approximately $109,275.18 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 68.8% cheaper than in Los Altos, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $3,465/month in Los Altos, CA.

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

Moving from Los Altos, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3394 per month, or $40725 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Los Altos, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Los Altos, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Fremont, CA area

Current salary in Los Altos, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.4K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $109.3K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 45.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,394

Savings

Annual Impact

$40.7K

Per year

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

Los Altos, CA

Population:30K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$4.69M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:55

Median Home:$263K

Los Altos, CA

The Golden State

30K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 30K 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: Los Altos, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Los Altos, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,572/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $4,519less	68.8%
📦Other	$1,744/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $187less	10.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,104/mo	$969/mo	↓ $135less	12.2%
🏥Healthcare	$690/mo	$607/mo	↓ $83.32less	12.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,345/mo	$1,366/mo	↑ $21.33more	1.6%
⚡All Utilities	$454/mo	$464/mo	↑ $10.40more	2.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 68.8%

Los Altos, CA

$6,572

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$4,519

less

📦Other

↓ 10.7%

Los Altos, CA

$1,744

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$187

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.2%

Los Altos, CA

$1,104

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$135

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.1%

Los Altos, CA

$690

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$83.32

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 1.6%

Los Altos, CA

$1,345

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$21.33

⚡All Utilities

↑ 2.3%

Los Altos, CA

$454

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$10.40

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Los Altos, 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$2,608

To$1,020

↓ $1,588

1 Bed

From$2,945

To$1,100

↓ $1,845

2 Bed

From$3,465

To$1,315

↓ $2,150

3 Bed

From$4,565

To$1,575

↓ $2,990

Los Altos, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,540–$3,710/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.

$11,909

Monthly in Los Altos, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$4,892

Difference

Home Values

Los Altos

Columbus

$4.69M

Median Value

$263K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +35.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$4.48M - $4.90M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 94% less expensive than Los Altos

Calculate payment - Los Altos 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

Los Altos, 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

Los Altos, 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.