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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Columbus Ohio: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

4.5% below

Cost of living in Columbus is 4.5% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Columbus, OH metro area (index 95.5; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Columbus is $1,383 a month.

Cost of living in Columbus by category

Overall prices

95.5U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−4.5% vs. U.S.

Goods
93.6 −6.4%
Housing (rents)
87.9 −12.1%
Utilities
95.5 −4.5%
Other services
98.9 −1.1%

BEA 2024 · Columbus metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,383/mo

Median gross rent

−7% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,209 −7% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,408 −6% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,672 About the same as U.S.
Median home value
$279,900 −22% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$1,652 −19% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$158/mo

Average electric bill

About the same as U.S.

Electricity price
19.4¢/kWh +6% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$21.25/Mcf +10% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
95.5

EIA July 2026 · Ohio statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

22.2min

Mean travel time to work

−18% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
67.5%
Work from home
16.3%
Gasoline (Ohio)
$4.19/gal −4% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$295/wk

Center care, infant

+70% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$265/wk +73% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$232/wk +61% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$200/wk +40% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Franklin County Details: Child care

Income

$67,084/yr

Median household income

−18% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
25%
Home value to income
4.2×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Columbus

Median gross rent in Columbus is $1,383 a month, 7% below the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,250–$1,499 range, which holds 23.8% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 38.9% pay $1,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $279,900, and 0.7% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Columbus vs. Ohio vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Columbus: $1,383; Ohio: $1,090; U.S.: $1,487 Columbus $1,383 Ohio $1,090 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Columbus: $1,652; Ohio: $1,563; U.S.: $2,035 Columbus $1,652 Ohio $1,563 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Columbus: $279,900; Ohio: $239,800; U.S.: $360,600 Columbus $279,900 Ohio $239,800 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureColumbusOhioU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,383$1,090$1,487
Monthly owner costs$1,652$1,563$2,035
Median home value$279,900$239,800$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Columbus

What renters pay in Columbus Share of renter households paying cash rent in Columbus by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 3.6%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 1%. Median $1,383. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 3.6% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 3.5% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 10.3% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 19.9% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 23.8% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 27.7% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 6.9% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 0.6% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 1% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,383 (Columbus) 27.7%
Show the data table
RangeColumbusU.S.
Less than $5003.6%6.1%
$500–$7493.5%6.8%
$750–$99910.3%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24919.9%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49923.8%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99927.7%22.2%
$2,000–$2,4996.9%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9992.7%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4990.6%3.2%
$3,500 or more1%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Columbus

Home values in Columbus Share of owner-occupied homes in Columbus by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 6.1%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 0.4%. Median $279,900. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $100,000: 6.1% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 7% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 10.8% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 16.7% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 15.7% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 22.1% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 12.5% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 6.7% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 1.7% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 0.3% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 0.4% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $279,900 (Columbus) 22.1%
Show the data table
RangeColumbusU.S.
Less than $100,0006.1%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9997%5.7%
$150,000–$199,99910.8%7.5%
$200,000–$249,99916.7%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99915.7%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99922.1%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99912.5%12%
$500,000–$749,9996.7%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9991.7%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9990.3%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more0.4%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Columbus

Measure Columbus Ohio U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,383$1,090$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,209$878$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,408$1,122$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,672$1,229$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $1,652$1,563$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Columbus?

At the median, rent takes about 25% of household income in Columbus. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $55,300 a year.

The median home is worth $279,900, or 4.2 times the median household income.

Household income in Columbus

The median household in Columbus earns $67,084 a year, 18% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 7.5% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 16.2% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Columbus vs. Ohio vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Columbus: $67,084; Ohio: $72,212; U.S.: $81,604 Columbus $67,084 Ohio $72,212 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureColumbusOhioU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$67,084$72,212$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Columbus

Household income distribution in Columbus Share of households in Columbus by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 6.7%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 7.5%. Median $67,084. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 6.7% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.6% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 3.1% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 3.5% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 4.1% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 4.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 4.3% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 4.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 7.2% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 11% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 14.5% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 10% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 5.9% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 7.3% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 7.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $67,084 (Columbus) 14.5%
Show the data table
RangeColumbusU.S.
Less than $10,0006.7%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.6%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9993.1%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992.8%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9993.5%3%
$30,000–$34,9994.1%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9994.3%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9994.3%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9994.1%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9997.2%6.4%
$60,000–$74,99911%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99914.5%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99910%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9995.9%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9997.3%9.7%
$200,000 or more7.5%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Columbus Ohio U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $67,084$72,212$81,604
Median home value $279,900$239,800$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Columbus, OH metro area scored 95.5 for all items. The highest category is other services at 98.9; the lowest is housing rents at 87.9.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Columbus metro area: 95.5; Ohio: 92.8; U.S.: 100.0 Columbus metro area 95.5 Ohio 92.8 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Columbus metro area: 93.6; Ohio: 93.7; U.S.: 99.6 Columbus metro area 93.6 Ohio 93.7 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Columbus metro area: 87.9; Ohio: 73.0; U.S.: 100.6 Columbus metro area 87.9 Ohio 73.0 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Columbus metro area: 95.5; Ohio: 95.8; U.S.: 98.4 Columbus metro area 95.5 Ohio 95.8 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Columbus metro area: 98.9; Ohio: 98.9; U.S.: 100.1 Columbus metro area 98.9 Ohio 98.9 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureColumbus metro areaOhioU.S.
All items95.592.8100.0
Goods93.693.799.6
Housing (rents)87.973.0100.6
Utilities95.595.898.4
Other services98.998.9100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Columbus, OH. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Ohio paid an average of 19.4¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $158 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $21.25 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Ohio averages rather than figures for Columbus alone.

Energy prices: Ohio vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Ohio: 19.4¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Ohio 19.4¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Ohio: $158; U.S.: $157 Ohio $158 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Ohio: $21.25; U.S.: $19.40 Ohio $21.25 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureOhioU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)19.4¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$158$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$21.25$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Columbus who commute spend an average of 22.2 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (67.5% of workers); 16.3% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $4.19 a gallon in Ohio in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Columbus: Drove alone 67.5%, Carpooled 9.4%, Public transit 1.9%, Walked 2.7%, Bicycle 0.7%, Worked from home 16.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.5%. Ohio: Drove alone 75.2%, Carpooled 8.1%, Public transit 1%, Walked 2%, Bicycle 0.4%, Worked from home 11.9%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.4%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Columbus: Drove alone. Columbus Columbus · Drove alone: 67.5% 67.5% Columbus · Carpooled: 9.4% Columbus · Public transit: 1.9% Columbus · Walked: 2.7% Columbus · Bicycle: 0.7% Columbus · Worked from home: 16.3% 16.3% Columbus · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.5% Ohio Ohio · Drove alone: 75.2% 75.2% Ohio · Carpooled: 8.1% Ohio · Public transit: 1% Ohio · Walked: 2% Ohio · Bicycle: 0.4% Ohio · Worked from home: 11.9% 11.9% Ohio · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.4% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationColumbusOhioU.S.
Drove alone67.5%75.2%69.2%
Carpooled9.4%8.1%9.2%
Public transit1.9%1%3.7%
Walked2.7%2%2.4%
Bicycle0.7%0.4%0.5%
Worked from home16.3%11.9%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.5%1.4%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Columbus

Travel time to work in Columbus Share of workers who do not work from home in Columbus by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.6%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 1.3%. Mean 22.2 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than 5 min: 1.6% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 8.2% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 14.4% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 20.9% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 21.1% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 10.7% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 11.9% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 2.2% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 2.1% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 3.2% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 2.3% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 1.3% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 22.2 min (Columbus) 21.1%
Show the data table
RangeColumbusU.S.
Less than 5 min1.6%2.8%
5–9 min8.2%9.4%
10–14 min14.4%13.1%
15–19 min20.9%15%
20–24 min21.1%14.1%
25–29 min10.7%7%
30–34 min11.9%13.7%
35–39 min2.2%3.4%
40–44 min2.1%4.1%
45–59 min3.2%8.3%
60–89 min2.3%6.3%
90 min or more1.3%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Columbus

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $295 a week in Franklin County, or $15,340 over 52 weeks. That is 70% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Franklin County Ohio (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $295$222$174
Center-based care, toddler $265$200$153
Center-based care, preschool $232$175$144
Center-based care, school-age $150$126$120
Home-based family care, infant $200$170$143
Home-based family care, toddler $190$165$132
Home-based family care, preschool $175$155$131
Home-based family care, school-age $155$139$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Columbus prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Columbus?

Median rent is $1,209 for a one-bedroom and $1,408 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Columbus?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 17.4% pay less than $1,000 a month, 71.4% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 11.2% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Columbus?

To keep the median rent of $1,383 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $55,300 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Columbus more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Columbus, OH metro area at 95.5 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 4.5% below average. Housing rents score 87.9.

How long is the average commute in Columbus?

22.2 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Columbus?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $295 a week in Franklin County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.