Is Columbus, OH cheaper than San Rafael, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 43.0% cheaper than San Rafael, CA. This translates to saving $3223 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Rafael, CA, you'd need approximately $111,321.258 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 65.2% cheaper than in San Rafael, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,537/month in San Rafael, CA.

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

Moving from San Rafael, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3223 per month, or $38679 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in San Rafael, CA

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 San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA 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.

San Rafael, CA

Population:60K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.34M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:57

Median Home:$263K

San Rafael, CA

The Golden State

60K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 60K 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 Rafael, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	San Rafael, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,906/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $3,853less	65.2%
🚗Transportation	$2,064/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $698less	33.8%
📦Other	$1,793/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $237less	13.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,134/mo	$969/mo	↓ $164less	14.5%
🏥Healthcare	$691/mo	$607/mo	↓ $83.61less	12.1%
⚡All Utilities	$438/mo	$464/mo	↑ $26.24more	6.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 65.2%

San Rafael, CA

$5,906

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$3,853

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 33.8%

San Rafael, CA

$2,064

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$698

less

📦Other

↓ 13.2%

San Rafael, CA

$1,793

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$237

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 14.5%

San Rafael, CA

$1,134

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$164

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.1%

San Rafael, CA

$691

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$83.61

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.0%

San Rafael, CA

$438

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$26.24

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Rafael, 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$1,748

To$1,020

↓ $728

1 Bed

From$2,098

To$1,100

↓ $998

2 Bed

From$2,537

To$1,315

↓ $1,222

3 Bed

From$3,244

To$1,575

↓ $1,669

San Rafael, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,580–$2,580/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.

$12,027

Monthly in San Rafael, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$5,010

Difference

Home Values

San Rafael

Columbus

$1.34M

Median Value

$263K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +13.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$1.34M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 80% less expensive than San Rafael

Calculate payment - San Rafael 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 Rafael, 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 Rafael, 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.