Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Somerville, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 36.7% cheaper than Somerville, MA. This translates to saving $2749 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Somerville, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Somerville, MA, you'd need approximately $117,014.91 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Somerville, MA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 54.6% cheaper than in Somerville, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,812/month in Somerville, MA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Somerville, MA to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Somerville, MA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $2749 per month, or $32985 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Somerville, MA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Somerville, MA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Somerville, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.7K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $117.0K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 36.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,749

Savings

Annual Impact

$33.0K

Per year

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

Somerville, MA

Population:80K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$911K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:63

Median Home:$263K

Somerville, MA

The Bay State

80K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 80K 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: Somerville, MA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Somerville, MA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,527/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $2,474less	54.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,745/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $379less	21.7%
⚡All Utilities	$699/mo	$464/mo	↓ $235less	33.6%
📦Other	$1,740/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $183less	10.5%
🏥Healthcare	$726/mo	$607/mo	↓ $119less	16.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,054/mo	$969/mo	↓ $84.52less	8.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 54.6%

Somerville, MA

$4,527

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$2,474

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 21.7%

Somerville, MA

$1,745

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$379

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 33.6%

Somerville, MA

$699

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$235

less

📦Other

↓ 10.5%

Somerville, MA

$1,740

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$183

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 16.4%

Somerville, MA

$726

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$119

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 8.0%

Somerville, MA

$1,054

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$84.52

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Somerville, MA 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$2,253

To$1,020

↓ $1,233

1 Bed

From$2,367

To$1,100

↓ $1,267

2 Bed

From$2,812

To$1,315

↓ $1,497

3 Bed

From$3,371

To$1,575

↓ $1,796

Somerville, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,820–$3,060/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.

$10,491

Monthly in Somerville, MA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$3,474

Difference

Home Values

Somerville

Columbus

$911K

Median Value

$263K

↑ +1.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +14.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$821K - $1.02M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 71% less expensive than Somerville

Calculate payment - Somerville Calculate payment - Columbus

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$256

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.0%

Rate difference

Somerville, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Somerville, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.