Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Houston is approximately 0% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,185/mo in Houston versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Houston is $122 (11%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Houston is $85 (7%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Houston is $84 (6%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Houston is $297 (17%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Columbus is $691 (1%) higher than Houston

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Columbus is $3,550 (9%) higher than Houston

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Columbus is $2,877 (7%) higher than Houston

Home values in Columbus vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Columbus is $10,700 (4%) higher than Houston

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Houston is $272 (7%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Columbus vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston is $36 (27%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Columbus is $31 (97%) higher than Houston

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Houston is $60 (3%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Houston are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Houston are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 12.8% (152%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Columbus is 3.5% higher than Houston

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston is 0.5% (9%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Houston is 0.9% (13%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Houston is 7.2 min (33%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 1.9% (3%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Houston is 0.4% (24%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Houston

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Houston is $7 (0%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Columbus is $3 (0%) higher than Houston

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Houston · Family

$7,187

Houston is $223 (3%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Houston.

Is Columbus or Houston more expensive?

Houston is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 0%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Houston is approximately $85 (7%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Houston?

Columbus has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Columbus and Houston

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

Columbus profile Houston 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.