$MoveNumbers
Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $349/month more in Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $154.2K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Wichita, KS area
Overall Cost
↑ 4.7%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$349
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$4.2K
Per year

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

Wichita, KS

Population:396K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$202K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K
Cost Index:
105
(5% above avg)
Median Home:$263K

Wichita, KS

The Sunflower State

396K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 396K 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: Wichita, KS vs Columbus, OH

Housing
↑ 11.3%
Wichita, KS
$1,845
Columbus, OH
$2,053
Difference
$208
more
Transportation
↑ 13.6%
Wichita, KS
$1,202
Columbus, OH
$1,366
Difference
$164
more
Other
↓ 5.1%
Wichita, KS
$1,641
Columbus, OH
$1,557
Difference
$83.70
less
Groceries
↑ 9.0%
Wichita, KS
$889
Columbus, OH
$969
Difference
$79.94
more
All Utilities
↓ 13.3%
Wichita, KS
$535
Columbus, OH
$464
Difference
$71.03
less
Healthcare
↑ 4.3%
Wichita, KS
$582
Columbus, OH
$607
Difference
$24.78
more

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Wichita, KS 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$790
To$1,020
↑ $230
1 Bed
From$855
To$1,100
↑ $245
2 Bed
From$1,110
To$1,315
↑ $205
3 Bed
From$1,455
To$1,575
↑ $120
Wichita, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $680–$1,280/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.

$6,695
Monthly in Wichita, KS
$7,017
Monthly in Columbus, OH
$322
Difference

Home Values

Wichita
Columbus
$202K
Median Value
$263K
↑ +0.2%
YoY Change
↓ -0.4%
↑ +40.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +28.8%
$86K - $424K
Price Range
$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 30% more expensive than Wichita

Calculate payment - WichitaCalculate payment - Columbus

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↑ $4.0K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$333
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
2.7%
Rate difference

Wichita, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

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

Wichita, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

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.

Environment

Wichita
Columbus
43 Good
Air Quality
53 Moderate
75.1%
Good Air Days
41.3%
97 High
Climate Risk
98 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.1°F
61 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days
▲+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.1°F
61 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kansas and Ohio on TaxTakeHome.com

Similar cost to Columbus, OH

Other cities in a similar price range

Raleigh, NCCharlotte, NCDallas, TX

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison