Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Santa Clara, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 47.7% cheaper than Santa Clara, CA. This translates to saving $3576 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Santa Clara, CA, you'd need approximately $107,093.023 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 73.1% cheaper than in Santa Clara, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $3,960/month in Santa Clara, CA.

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

Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3576 per month, or $42907 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Santa Clara, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Santa Clara, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.6K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $107.1K in Columbus, OH

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

Overall Cost

↓ 47.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,576

Savings

Annual Impact

$42.9K

Per year

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

Santa Clara, CA

Population:131K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.60M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:52

Median Home:$263K

Santa Clara, CA

The Golden State

131K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 131K 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: Santa Clara, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Santa Clara, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,640/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $5,587less	73.1%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $268less	14.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,129/mo	$969/mo	↓ $160less	14.2%
🏥Healthcare	$706/mo	$607/mo	↓ $99.13less	14.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,407/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $40.98less	2.9%
⚡All Utilities	$464/mo	$464/mo	→ $0	0.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 73.1%

Santa Clara, CA

$7,640

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$5,587

less

📦Other

↓ 14.7%

Santa Clara, CA

$1,825

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$268

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 14.2%

Santa Clara, CA

$1,129

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$160

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.0%

Santa Clara, CA

$706

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$99.13

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.9%

Santa Clara, CA

$1,407

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$40.98

less

⚡All Utilities

→ 0.0%

Santa Clara, CA

$464

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Santa Clara, 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$2,980

To$1,020

↓ $1,960

1 Bed

From$3,390

To$1,100

↓ $2,290

2 Bed

From$3,960

To$1,315

↓ $2,645

3 Bed

From$5,230

To$1,575

↓ $3,655

Santa Clara, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,860–$3,790/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.

$13,172

Monthly in Santa Clara, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$6,155

Difference

Home Values

Santa Clara

Columbus

$1.60M

Median Value

$263K

↓ -0.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +30.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$1.49M - $1.86M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 84% less expensive than Santa Clara

Calculate payment - Santa Clara 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

Santa Clara, 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

Santa Clara, 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.