Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Omaha, NE?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 1.1% cheaper than Omaha, NE. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Omaha, NE?

If you earn $150,000 in Omaha, NE, you'd need approximately $149,010.989 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Omaha, NE and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 2.5% cheaper than in Omaha, NE. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,450/month in Omaha, NE.

How much can I save per month by moving from Omaha, NE to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Omaha, NE to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $82 per month, or $989 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Omaha, NE vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Omaha, NE

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $82.42/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.0K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$82.42

Savings

Annual Impact

$989

Per year

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

Omaha, NE

Population:486K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$282K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:99

Median Home:$263K

Omaha, NE

The Cornhusker State

486K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Nebraska, this city has a population of 486K 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: Omaha, NE vs Columbus, OH

Category	Omaha, NE	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,243/mo	$1,366/mo	↑ $123more	9.9%
🏥Healthcare	$682/mo	$607/mo	↓ $74.35less	10.9%
📦Other	$1,624/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $66.96less	4.1%
🏠Housing	$2,105/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $51.97less	2.5%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$969/mo	↑ $19.99more	2.1%
⚡All Utilities	$470/mo	$464/mo	↓ $5.46less	1.2%

🚗Transportation

↑ 9.9%

Omaha, NE

$1,243

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$123

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.9%

Omaha, NE

$682

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$74.35

less

📦Other

↓ 4.1%

Omaha, NE

$1,624

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$66.96

less

🏠Housing

↓ 2.5%

Omaha, NE

$2,105

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$51.97

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.1%

Omaha, NE

$949

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$19.99

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.2%

Omaha, NE

$470

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$5.46

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Omaha, NE 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$1,160

To$1,020

↓ $140

1 Bed

From$1,220

To$1,100

↓ $120

2 Bed

From$1,450

To$1,315

↓ $135

3 Bed

From$1,920

To$1,575

↓ $345

Omaha, NEZIP-level data

1BR range: $960–$1,720/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.

$7,073

Monthly in Omaha, NE

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$55.82

Difference

Home Values

Omaha

Columbus

$282K

Median Value

$263K

↑ +1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +31.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$129K - $441K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 7% less expensive than Omaha

Calculate payment - Omaha Calculate payment - Columbus

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $4.9K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$409

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.3%

Rate difference

Omaha, NE

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Nebraska State Tax

Effective: 6.2%

$9.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.9%

$46.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,638/month

$103.7K

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

Omaha, NE Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%

Property Tax:1.8%

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.

Environment

Omaha

Columbus

45 Good

Air Quality

53 Moderate

63.7%

Good Air Days

41.3%

96 High

Climate Risk

98 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

35 days

Heat Days >95°F

18 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

35 days

Heat Days >95°F

18 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Nebraska and Ohio on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Omaha, NE on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Columbus, OH

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd save $82.42/month moving to Columbus, OH

Omaha, NE

Columbus, OH

Omaha, NE

Columbus, OH

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code27 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code22 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP27 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP21 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Omaha, NE

Columbus, OH

Additional Tax Information

Omaha, NE Tax Rates

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Columbus, OH