Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Seattle

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 44% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Seattle

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Seattle is $1,134 (103%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Seattle is $1,099 (92%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Seattle is $1,226 (85%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Seattle is $1,780 (102%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Seattle

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Seattle is $48,353 (66%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Seattle is $21,853 (48%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Seattle is $28,207 (66%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Seattle

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Seattle is $545,500 (205%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Seattle is $2,675 (65%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Columbus vs Seattle

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Columbus is $22 (20%) higher than Seattle

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Columbus is $15 (31%) higher than Seattle

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Columbus is $444 (24%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Columbus vs Seattle

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Seattle are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Seattle are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Columbus is 3.2% (62%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Columbus vs Seattle

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Columbus is 3.5% higher than Seattle

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Seattle is 0.8% (13%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Seattle is 3.0% (41%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs Seattle

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Seattle is 6.3 min (29%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Columbus is 18.7% (36%) higher than Seattle

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Seattle is 6.3% (371%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Seattle

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Seattle is $1,410 (44%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Seattle is $1,885 (42%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Seattle is $2,476 (36%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Seattle.

Is Columbus or Seattle more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington, a difference of about 44%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $2,293/mo in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is approximately $1,099 (92%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Seattle?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year.

More on Columbus and Seattle

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

Columbus profile Seattle 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.