Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Pontiac

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Pontiac, Michigan.

Bottom line

Pontiac is approximately 6% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,384/mo in Pontiac versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Pontiac

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Pontiac · Studio

$991

Columbus is $113 (11%) higher than Pontiac

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Pontiac · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Columbus is $104 (10%) higher than Pontiac

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Pontiac · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Columbus is $67 (5%) higher than Pontiac

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Pontiac · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Columbus is $53 (3%) higher than Pontiac

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Pontiac

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Pontiac · Household income

$95,296

Pontiac is $21,501 (29%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Pontiac · Individual earnings

$54,878

Pontiac is $9,590 (21%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Pontiac · Per capita

$55,114

Pontiac is $12,259 (29%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Pontiac

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Pontiac · Average home value

$320,400

Pontiac is $54,700 (21%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Pontiac · Annual property tax

$4,241

Pontiac is $131 (3%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Columbus vs Pontiac

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Pontiac · Monthly electricity

$128

Columbus is $3 (2%) higher than Pontiac

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Pontiac · Monthly gas

$63

Columbus and Pontiac are about the same

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Pontiac · Annual total

$2,292

Columbus is $36 (2%) higher than Pontiac

Healthcare in Columbus vs Pontiac

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Pontiac · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Pontiac are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Pontiac · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Pontiac are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Pontiac · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Columbus is 4.5% (115%) higher than Pontiac

Taxes in Columbus vs Pontiac

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Pontiac · State income tax

4.3%

Pontiac is 0.8% (21%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Pontiac · State sales tax

6.0%

Pontiac is 0.3% (4%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Pontiac · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Columbus is 1.2% (21%) higher than Pontiac

Transportation in Columbus vs Pontiac

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Pontiac · Average commute

26.0 min

Pontiac is 4.2 min (19%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Pontiac · Drive alone

73.4%

Pontiac is 2.9% (4%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Pontiac · Public transit

0.3%

Columbus is 1.4% (467%) higher than Pontiac

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Pontiac

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Pontiac · Single person

$3,384

Pontiac is $206 (6%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Pontiac · Couple

$5,059

Pontiac is $520 (11%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Pontiac · Family

$7,502

Pontiac is $538 (8%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Pontiac.

Is Columbus or Pontiac more expensive?

Pontiac is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,384/mo in Pontiac, Michigan, a difference of about 6%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Pontiac?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,090/mo in Pontiac, Michigan. Columbus is approximately $104 (10%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Pontiac?

Pontiac has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Pontiac households earn approximately $95,296 per year.

More on Columbus and Pontiac

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

Columbus profile Pontiac 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.