Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Phoenix

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Phoenix, Arizona.

Bottom line

Phoenix is approximately 16% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,694/mo in Phoenix versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Phoenix

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Phoenix is $426 (39%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Phoenix is $485 (41%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Phoenix is $505 (35%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Phoenix is $883 (51%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Phoenix

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Phoenix is $11,723 (16%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Phoenix is $1,352 (3%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Phoenix is $1,355 (3%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Phoenix

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Phoenix is $149,000 (56%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Columbus is $2,145 (109%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Columbus vs Phoenix

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Phoenix is $19 (15%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Columbus is $24 (62%) higher than Phoenix

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Columbus is $60 (3%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Columbus vs Phoenix

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Phoenix are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Phoenix are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Phoenix is 2.3% (27%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Phoenix

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Columbus is 1.0% (40%) higher than Phoenix

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Columbus is 0.2% (3%) higher than Phoenix

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Phoenix is 1.1% (16%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs Phoenix

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Phoenix is 4.3 min (20%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Columbus is 3.9% (6%) higher than Phoenix

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Columbus is 0.4% (31%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Phoenix

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Phoenix is $516 (16%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Phoenix is $735 (16%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Phoenix is $1,134 (16%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Phoenix.

Is Columbus or Phoenix more expensive?

Phoenix is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona, a difference of about 16%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Phoenix?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,679/mo in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is approximately $485 (41%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Phoenix?

Phoenix has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year.

More on Columbus and Phoenix

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

Columbus profile Phoenix 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.