Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 38% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Cambridge is $565 (51%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Cambridge is $551 (46%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Cambridge is $824 (57%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Cambridge is $763 (44%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $52,984 (72%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Cambridge is $20,836 (46%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Cambridge is $24,616 (57%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Cambridge is $421,500 (159%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $3,130 (76%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Columbus vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $41 (31%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $11 (17%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $624 (27%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Cambridge are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Cambridge are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Columbus is 6.0% (250%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Columbus vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Cambridge is 1.5% (43%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge is 0.5% (9%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Columbus is 1.0% (16%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Columbus vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Cambridge is 8.2 min (38%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Columbus is 14.5% (26%) higher than Cambridge

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Cambridge is 6.3% (371%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Cambridge is $1,213 (38%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Cambridge is $2,243 (49%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Cambridge is $2,253 (32%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Cambridge.

Is Columbus or Cambridge more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 38%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge is approximately $551 (46%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Columbus and Cambridge

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

Columbus profile Cambridge 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.