Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Walnut Creek, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 43.2% cheaper than Walnut Creek, CA. This translates to saving $3238 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Walnut Creek, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Walnut Creek, CA, you'd need approximately $111,147.779 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Walnut Creek, CA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 65.4% cheaper than in Walnut Creek, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $2,733/month in Walnut Creek, CA.

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

Moving from Walnut Creek, CA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $3238 per month, or $38852 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Walnut Creek, CA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Walnut Creek, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area

Current salary in Walnut Creek, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.2K/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $111.1K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 43.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,238

Savings

Annual Impact

$38.9K

Per year

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

Walnut Creek, CA

Population:69K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.07M

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:57

Median Home:$263K

Walnut Creek, CA

The Golden State

69K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 69K 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: Walnut Creek, CA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Walnut Creek, CA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,926/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $3,873less	65.4%
🚗Transportation	$2,071/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $705less	34.1%
📦Other	$1,799/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $243less	13.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,136/mo	$969/mo	↓ $166less	14.6%
🏥Healthcare	$692/mo	$607/mo	↓ $84.78less	12.3%
⚡All Utilities	$439/mo	$464/mo	↑ $25.49more	5.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 65.4%

Walnut Creek, CA

$5,926

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$3,873

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 34.1%

Walnut Creek, CA

$2,071

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$705

less

📦Other

↓ 13.5%

Walnut Creek, CA

$1,799

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$243

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 14.6%

Walnut Creek, CA

$1,136

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$166

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.3%

Walnut Creek, CA

$692

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$84.78

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.8%

Walnut Creek, CA

$439

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$25.49

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Walnut Creek, 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$2,007

To$1,020

↓ $987

1 Bed

From$2,235

To$1,100

↓ $1,135

2 Bed

From$2,733

To$1,315

↓ $1,418

3 Bed

From$3,492

To$1,575

↓ $1,917

Walnut Creek, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,450–$3,180/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.

$12,064

Monthly in Walnut Creek, CA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$5,047

Difference

Home Values

Walnut Creek

Columbus

$1.07M

Median Value

$263K

↓ -2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +18.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$678K - $1.34M

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 75% less expensive than Walnut Creek

Calculate payment - Walnut Creek 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

Walnut Creek, 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

Walnut Creek, 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.