Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Columbus

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Columbus, Ohio.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 51% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Fairfax vs Columbus

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Fairfax is $908 (82%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Fairfax is $862 (72%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Fairfax is $869 (60%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Fairfax is $1,152 (66%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Columbus

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Fairfax is $76,318 (103%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Fairfax is $26,284 (58%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Fairfax is $27,116 (63%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Fairfax vs Columbus

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Fairfax is $434,000 (163%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Fairfax is $2,962 (72%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Fairfax vs Columbus

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Fairfax is $22 (17%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Columbus is $14 (29%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Fairfax is $96 (4%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Columbus

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Columbus are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Columbus are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Columbus is 1.0% (14%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Fairfax vs Columbus

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Fairfax is 2.3% (64%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Columbus is 0.5% (8%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Columbus is 1.5% (26%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Columbus

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Fairfax is 7.7 min (35%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Columbus is 12.6% (22%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Fairfax is 3.6% (212%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Columbus

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Fairfax is $1,630 (51%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Fairfax is $2,931 (65%) higher than Columbus

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Fairfax is $3,247 (47%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Columbus.

Is Fairfax or Columbus more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio, a difference of about 51%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Columbus?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,194/mo in Columbus, Ohio. Fairfax is approximately $862 (72%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Columbus?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year.

More on Fairfax and Columbus

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

Fairfax 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.