Cost of Living in Columbus, OH
Updated November 2026 · Franklin County · Columbus, OH metro area · population 914,802
Prices in Columbus are 5.1% below the US average (local index 94.9; the BEA index for the Columbus, OH metro area is 95.5), with local housing the biggest saving at 87.0; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,581 a month and the median rent is $1,295.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Columbus's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Columbus, OH metro area, unchanged.
Columbus price index by category, US average = 100: All items 94.9, Housing (rents) 87.0, Goods 93.6, Utilities 95.5, Other services 98.9
It is the most expensive of the 18 Ohio cities in our data. Cheaper than 75% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.6 | 94.4 | 94.9 | 94.1 | 94.6 | 95.5 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Columbus, OH
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $948 | $11,376 | 37% |
| Utilities | $260 | $3,120 | 10% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 10% |
| Transportation | $602 | $7,224 | 23% |
| Health care | $348 | $4,176 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $159 | $1,908 | 6% |
| Total | $2,581 | $30,972 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Columbus, OH
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,135 | $13,620 | 27% |
| Utilities | $413 | $4,956 | 10% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,192 | $14,304 | 28% |
| Health care | $645 | $7,740 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $313 | $3,756 | 7% |
| Total | $4,186 | $50,232 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Columbus, OH
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,237 | $14,844 | 25% |
| Utilities | $503 | $6,036 | 10% |
| Food at home | $695 | $8,340 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,586 | $19,032 | 32% |
| Health care | $601 | $7,212 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $403 | $4,836 | 8% |
| Total | $5,025 | $60,300 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Columbus
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,085 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,118 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,339 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,459 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,653 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,295 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,098 |
| Median home value | $252,900 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,599/mo |
| Median household income | $66,082 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 28.8% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.8× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Ohio
19.38¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +10.4% (from 17.55¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 865 kWh a month in Ohio ≈ $159/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline
$4.09 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +41.0% (from $2.90) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey.
Inflation in the Midwest
Consumer prices in the Midwest Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Columbus are 5.1% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $63,200 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 94.9. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark, OH | 30 mi | 91.0 | $2,205 | $973 |
| Springfield, OH | 43 mi | 89.9 | $2,095 | $851 |
| Kettering, OH | 65 mi | 92.3 | $2,348 | $1,051 |
| Dayton, OH | 66 mi | 90.6 | $2,150 | $918 |
| Middletown, OH | 81 mi | 92.9 | $2,269 | $1,007 |
| Hamilton, OH | 93 mi | 92.9 | $2,237 | $1,007 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 94.9 | $2,757 | $1,261 |
| Forks, WA | 94.9 | $2,348 | $921 |
| Tucson, AZ | 94.8 | $2,486 | $1,145 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 94.8 | $2,386 | $1,184 |
| Yuma, AZ | 95.0 | $2,360 | $1,114 |
| Vero Beach, FL | 95.0 | $2,655 | $1,221 |
Compare Columbus with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Columbus, OH an expensive place to live?
Columbus has a local cost of living index of 94.9, which is 5.1% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Columbus, OH metro area (95.5) and adjusts housing to Columbus's own rents. It is 2.1 points above the Ohio average. It is the most expensive of the 18 Ohio cities in our data. Cheaper than 75% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Columbus?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,581 for a single adult, $4,186 for a couple and $5,025 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $56,900 in Columbus.
What is the average rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,295 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,118, 2 bedrooms $1,339, 3 bedrooms $1,459. The typical renter spends 28.8% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Columbus?
The median owner-estimated home value is $252,900, 3.8 times the median household income of $66,082 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,599 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Columbus?
Ohio residential electricity averaged 19.38¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.09 a gallon (Ohio average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Columbus, OH metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 95.5) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 3918000 (Columbus city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Ohio residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Ohio, week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Midwest region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources