Is Columbus, OH cheaper than San Mateo, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 43.7% cheaper than San Mateo, CA. This translates to saving $3274 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Mateo, CA, you'd need approximately $110,709.466 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 65.7% cheaper than in San Mateo, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $3,686/month in San Mateo, CA.

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

Moving from San Mateo, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3274 per month, or $39291 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

San Mateo, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 San Mateo, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area

Current salary in San Mateo, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.3K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $110.7K in Columbus, OH

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

Overall Cost

↓ 43.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,274

Savings

Annual Impact

$39.3K

Per year

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

San Mateo, CA

Population:101K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$2.02M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:56

Median Home:$263K

San Mateo, CA

The Golden State

101K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 101K 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: San Mateo, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	San Mateo, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,977/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $3,924less	65.7%
🚗Transportation	$2,089/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $723less	34.6%
📦Other	$1,815/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $258less	14.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,140/mo	$969/mo	↓ $171less	15.0%
🏥Healthcare	$695/mo	$607/mo	↓ $87.77less	12.6%
⚡All Utilities	$441/mo	$464/mo	↑ $23.60more	5.4%

🏠Housing

↓ 65.7%

San Mateo, CA

$5,977

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$3,924

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 34.6%

San Mateo, CA

$2,089

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$723

less

📦Other

↓ 14.2%

San Mateo, CA

$1,815

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$258

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 15.0%

San Mateo, CA

$1,140

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$171

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.6%

San Mateo, CA

$695

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$87.77

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.4%

San Mateo, CA

$441

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$23.60

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Mateo, 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$2,543

To$1,020

↓ $1,523

1 Bed

From$3,045

To$1,100

↓ $1,945

2 Bed

From$3,686

To$1,315

↓ $2,371

3 Bed

From$4,707

To$1,575

↓ $3,132

San Mateo, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,670–$3,730/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.

$12,158

Monthly in San Mateo, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$5,141

Difference

Home Values

San Mateo

Columbus

$2.02M

Median Value

$263K

↑ +1.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +21%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$1.73M - $2.32M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 87% less expensive than San Mateo

Calculate payment - San Mateo 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

San Mateo, 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

San Mateo, 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.