Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Columbus

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Columbus, Ohio.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 17% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Chicago vs Columbus

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Chicago is $354 (32%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Chicago is $366 (31%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Chicago is $316 (22%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Chicago is $521 (30%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Columbus

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Chicago is $8,002 (11%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Chicago is $4,010 (9%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Chicago is $4,946 (12%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Chicago vs Columbus

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Chicago is $39,500 (15%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Chicago is $1,943 (47%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Chicago vs Columbus

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Columbus is $15 (13%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Columbus is $2 (3%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Columbus is $204 (10%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Columbus

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Columbus are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Columbus are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Chicago is 0.6% (7%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Chicago vs Columbus

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Chicago is 1.5% (41%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Chicago is 0.5% (9%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Chicago is 1.6% (22%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Chicago vs Columbus

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Chicago is 10.1 min (46%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Columbus is 14.3% (25%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Chicago is 11.3% (665%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Columbus

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Chicago is $529 (17%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Chicago is $626 (14%) higher than Columbus

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Chicago is $847 (12%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Columbus.

Is Chicago or Columbus more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio, a difference of about 17%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Columbus?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,194/mo in Columbus, Ohio. Chicago is approximately $366 (31%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Columbus?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year.

More on Chicago and Columbus

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Columbus profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.