Side-by-side comparison

Cleveland vs Columbus

Cost of living comparison for Cleveland, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio.

Bottom line

Columbus is approximately 9% more expensive than Cleveland. A single person needs about $3,178/mo in Columbus versus $2,929/mo in Cleveland.

Rent in Cleveland vs Columbus

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cleveland · Studio

$881

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Columbus is $223 (25%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 1 bedroom

$995

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Columbus is $199 (20%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 2 bedroom

$1,208

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Columbus is $237 (20%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · 3 bedroom

$1,553

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Columbus is $188 (12%) higher than Cleveland

Income & earnings in Cleveland vs Columbus

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cleveland · Household income

$62,823

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Columbus is $10,972 (17%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Individual earnings

$42,589

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Columbus is $2,699 (6%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Per capita

$41,559

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Columbus is $1,296 (3%) higher than Cleveland

Home values in Cleveland vs Columbus

Average values and property tax.

Cleveland · Average home value

$183,200

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Columbus is $82,500 (45%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Annual property tax

$3,819

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Columbus is $291 (8%) higher than Cleveland

Energy in Cleveland vs Columbus

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cleveland · Monthly electricity

$131

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Cleveland and Columbus are about the same

Cleveland · Monthly gas

$63

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Cleveland and Columbus are about the same

Cleveland · Annual total

$2,328

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Cleveland and Columbus are about the same

Healthcare in Cleveland vs Columbus

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cleveland · Individual premium

$480

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Cleveland and Columbus are about the same

Cleveland · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Cleveland and Columbus are about the same

Cleveland · Uninsured rate

5.5%

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Columbus is 2.9% (53%) higher than Cleveland

Taxes in Cleveland vs Columbus

State income and sales tax.

Cleveland · State income tax

3.5%

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Cleveland and Columbus are about the same

Cleveland · State sales tax

5.8%

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Cleveland and Columbus are about the same

Cleveland · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Cleveland and Columbus are about the same

Transportation in Cleveland vs Columbus

Commute time and travel modes.

Cleveland · Average commute

23.6 min

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Cleveland is 1.8 min (8%) higher than Columbus

Cleveland · Drive alone

71.7%

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Cleveland is 1.2% (2%) higher than Columbus

Cleveland · Public transit

3.3%

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Cleveland is 1.6% (94%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Cleveland vs Columbus

All categories combined.

Cleveland · Single person

$2,929

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Columbus is $249 (9%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Couple

$4,097

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Columbus is $442 (11%) higher than Cleveland

Cleveland · Family

$6,571

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Columbus is $393 (6%) higher than Cleveland

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cleveland and Columbus.

Is Cleveland or Columbus more expensive?

Columbus is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $2,929/mo in Cleveland, Ohio and $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio, a difference of about 9%.

What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Columbus?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cleveland, Ohio is $995/mo versus $1,194/mo in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus is approximately $199 (20%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cleveland or Columbus?

Columbus has the higher average household income. Cleveland households earn approximately $62,823 per year; Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year.

More on Cleveland and Columbus

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

Cleveland 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.