Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Pleasanton, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 46.4% cheaper than Pleasanton, CA. This translates to saving $3477 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Pleasanton, CA, you'd need approximately $108,274.867 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 69.4% cheaper than in Pleasanton, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,989/month in Pleasanton, CA.

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

Moving from Pleasanton, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3477 per month, or $41725 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Pleasanton, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Pleasanton, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.5K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $108.3K in Columbus, OH

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

Overall Cost

↓ 46.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,477

Savings

Annual Impact

$41.7K

Per year

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

Pleasanton, CA

Population:75K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.52M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:54

Median Home:$263K

Pleasanton, CA

The Golden State

75K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 75K 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: Pleasanton, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Pleasanton, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,708/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $4,655less	69.4%
📦Other	$1,780/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $223less	12.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,115/mo	$969/mo	↓ $146less	13.1%
🏥Healthcare	$698/mo	$607/mo	↓ $90.43less	13.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,373/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $6.53less	0.5%
⚡All Utilities	$459/mo	$464/mo	↑ $5.72more	1.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 69.4%

Pleasanton, CA

$6,708

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$4,655

less

📦Other

↓ 12.5%

Pleasanton, CA

$1,780

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$223

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.1%

Pleasanton, CA

$1,115

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$146

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.0%

Pleasanton, CA

$698

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$90.43

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.5%

Pleasanton, CA

$1,373

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$6.53

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.2%

Pleasanton, CA

$459

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$5.72

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Pleasanton, 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$2,197

To$1,020

↓ $1,177

1 Bed

From$2,450

To$1,100

↓ $1,350

2 Bed

From$2,989

To$1,315

↓ $1,674

3 Bed

From$3,823

To$1,575

↓ $2,248

Pleasanton, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,720–$3,190/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.

$12,132

Monthly in Pleasanton, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$5,115

Difference

Home Values

Pleasanton

Columbus

$1.52M

Median Value

$263K

↓ -7.9%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +29.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$1.38M - $1.66M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 83% less expensive than Pleasanton

Calculate payment - Pleasanton 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

Pleasanton, 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

Pleasanton, 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.