Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Santa Monica, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 43.4% cheaper than Santa Monica, CA. This translates to saving $3258 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Santa Monica, CA, you'd need approximately $110,906.614 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 67.9% cheaper than in Santa Monica, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,653/month in Santa Monica, CA.

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

Moving from Santa Monica, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3258 per month, or $39093 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Santa Monica, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Los Angeles, CA area

Current salary in Santa Monica, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $110.9K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 43.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,258

Savings

Annual Impact

$39.1K

Per year

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

Santa Monica, CA

Population:90K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.46M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:57

Median Home:$263K

Santa Monica, CA

The Golden State

90K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 90K 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 Monica, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Santa Monica, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,404/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $4,351less	67.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,982/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $616less	31.1%
🏥Healthcare	$531/mo	$607/mo	↑ $76.44more	14.4%
⚡All Utilities	$534/mo	$464/mo	↓ $69.59less	13.0%
📦Other	$1,589/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $32.42less	2.0%
🛒Groceries	$997/mo	$969/mo	↓ $27.47less	2.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 67.9%

Santa Monica, CA

$6,404

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$4,351

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 31.1%

Santa Monica, CA

$1,982

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$616

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 14.4%

Santa Monica, CA

$531

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$76.44

⚡All Utilities

↓ 13.0%

Santa Monica, CA

$534

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$69.59

less

📦Other

↓ 2.0%

Santa Monica, CA

$1,589

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$32.42

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 2.8%

Santa Monica, CA

$997

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$27.47

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Santa Monica, 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$1,904

To$1,020

↓ $884

1 Bed

From$2,131

To$1,100

↓ $1,031

2 Bed

From$2,653

To$1,315

↓ $1,338

3 Bed

From$3,364

To$1,575

↓ $1,789

Santa Monica, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,390–$2,980/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.

$12,036

Monthly in Santa Monica, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$5,019

Difference

Home Values

Santa Monica

Columbus

$1.46M

Median Value

$263K

↓ -3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +3.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$1.05M - $4.51M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 82% less expensive than Santa Monica

Calculate payment - Santa Monica 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 Monica, 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 Monica, 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.