Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Union City, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 46.2% cheaper than Union City, CA. This translates to saving $3465 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Union City, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Union City, CA, you'd need approximately $108,417.254 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Union City, CA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 69.3% cheaper than in Union City, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,670/month in Union City, CA.

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

Moving from Union City, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3465 per month, or $41583 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Union City, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Union City, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Fremont, CA area

Current salary in Union City, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.5K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $108.4K in Columbus, OH

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

Overall Cost

↓ 46.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,465

Savings

Annual Impact

$41.6K

Per year

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

Union City, CA

Population:65K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.22M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:54

Median Home:$263K

Union City, CA

The Golden State

65K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 65K 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: Union City, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Union City, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,688/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $4,635less	69.3%
📦Other	$1,775/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $218less	12.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,114/mo	$969/mo	↓ $144less	13.0%
🏥Healthcare	$697/mo	$607/mo	↓ $89.41less	12.8%
⚡All Utilities	$458/mo	$464/mo	↑ $6.40more	1.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,368/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $2.50less	0.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 69.3%

Union City, CA

$6,688

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$4,635

less

📦Other

↓ 12.3%

Union City, CA

$1,775

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$218

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.0%

Union City, CA

$1,114

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$144

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.8%

Union City, CA

$697

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$89.41

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.4%

Union City, CA

$458

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$6.40

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.2%

Union City, CA

$1,368

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$2.50

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Union City, 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$1,968

To$1,020

↓ $948

1 Bed

From$2,183

To$1,100

↓ $1,083

2 Bed

From$2,670

To$1,315

↓ $1,355

3 Bed

From$3,414

To$1,575

↓ $1,839

Union City, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,640–$2,640/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.

$12,100

Monthly in Union City, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$5,083

Difference

Home Values

Union City

Columbus

$1.22M

Median Value

$263K

↓ -5.9%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +28.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$1.22M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 78% less expensive than Union City

Calculate payment - Union City 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

Union City, 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

Union City, 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.