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Columbus vs Los Angeles

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Los Angeles, California.

Bottom line

Los Angeles is approximately 30% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $4,135/mo in Los Angeles versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Los Angeles

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio
$1,104
Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Los Angeles is $752 (68%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · 1 bedroom
$1,194
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Los Angeles is $887 (74%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · 2 bedroom
$1,445
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Los Angeles is $1,180 (82%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · 3 bedroom
$1,741
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Los Angeles is $1,594 (92%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Los Angeles

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income
$73,795
Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Los Angeles is $13,965 (19%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Individual earnings
$45,288
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Columbus is $1,811 (4%) higher than Los Angeles
Columbus · Per capita
$42,855
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Los Angeles is $1,464 (3%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Los Angeles

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value
$265,700
Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Los Angeles is $517,600 (195%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Annual property tax
$4,110
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Los Angeles is $1,328 (32%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Columbus vs Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity
$131
Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles is $36 (27%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Monthly gas
$63
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Columbus is $13 (26%) higher than Los Angeles
Columbus · Annual total
$2,328
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles is $276 (12%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs Los Angeles

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Columbus and Los Angeles are about the same
Columbus · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Columbus and Los Angeles are about the same
Columbus · Uninsured rate
8.4%
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Los Angeles is 0.3% (4%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Los Angeles

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax
3.5%
Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles is 9.8% (280%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · State sales tax
5.8%
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles is 1.5% (26%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Combined sales tax
7.2%
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles is 1.6% (22%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs Los Angeles

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute
21.8 min
Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Los Angeles is 9.0 min (41%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Drive alone
70.5%
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Columbus is 4.1% (6%) higher than Los Angeles
Columbus · Public transit
1.7%
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Los Angeles is 2.5% (147%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Los Angeles

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person
$3,178
Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Los Angeles is $957 (30%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Couple
$4,539
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Los Angeles is $1,795 (40%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Family
$6,964
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Los Angeles is $2,287 (33%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Los Angeles.

Is Columbus or Los Angeles more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California, a difference of about 30%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $2,081/mo in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is approximately $887 (74%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year.

More on Columbus and Los Angeles

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

Columbus profile Los Angeles 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.