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Columbus vs West Palm Beach

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bottom line

West Palm Beach is approximately 18% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs West Palm Beach

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio
$1,104
West Palm Beach · Studio
$1,639
West Palm Beach is $535 (48%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · 1 bedroom
$1,194
West Palm Beach · 1 bedroom
$1,830
West Palm Beach is $636 (53%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · 2 bedroom
$1,445
West Palm Beach · 2 bedroom
$2,187
West Palm Beach is $742 (51%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · 3 bedroom
$1,741
West Palm Beach · 3 bedroom
$2,856
West Palm Beach is $1,115 (64%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs West Palm Beach

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income
$73,795
West Palm Beach · Household income
$81,115
West Palm Beach is $7,320 (10%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Individual earnings
$45,288
West Palm Beach · Individual earnings
$42,309
Columbus is $2,979 (7%) higher than West Palm Beach
Columbus · Per capita
$42,855
West Palm Beach · Per capita
$50,998
West Palm Beach is $8,143 (19%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs West Palm Beach

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value
$265,700
West Palm Beach · Average home value
$407,300
West Palm Beach is $141,600 (53%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Annual property tax
$4,110
West Palm Beach · Annual property tax
$3,600
Columbus is $510 (14%) higher than West Palm Beach

Energy in Columbus vs West Palm Beach

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity
$131
West Palm Beach · Monthly electricity
$176
West Palm Beach is $45 (34%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Monthly gas
$63
West Palm Beach · Monthly gas
$21
Columbus is $42 (200%) higher than West Palm Beach
Columbus · Annual total
$2,328
West Palm Beach · Annual total
$2,364
West Palm Beach is $36 (2%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs West Palm Beach

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium
$480
West Palm Beach · Individual premium
$480
Columbus and West Palm Beach are about the same
Columbus · Family premium
$1,350
West Palm Beach · Family premium
$1,350
Columbus and West Palm Beach are about the same
Columbus · Uninsured rate
8.4%
West Palm Beach · Uninsured rate
13.2%
West Palm Beach is 4.8% (57%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs West Palm Beach

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax
3.5%
West Palm Beach · State income tax
0.0%
Columbus is 3.5% higher than West Palm Beach
Columbus · State sales tax
5.8%
West Palm Beach · State sales tax
6.0%
West Palm Beach is 0.3% (4%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Combined sales tax
7.2%
West Palm Beach · Combined sales tax
7.0%
Columbus is 0.2% (3%) higher than West Palm Beach

Transportation in Columbus vs West Palm Beach

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute
21.8 min
West Palm Beach · Average commute
26.4 min
West Palm Beach is 4.6 min (21%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Drive alone
70.5%
West Palm Beach · Drive alone
71.4%
West Palm Beach is 0.9% (1%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Public transit
1.7%
West Palm Beach · Public transit
1.4%
Columbus is 0.3% (21%) higher than West Palm Beach

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs West Palm Beach

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person
$3,178
West Palm Beach · Single person
$3,761
West Palm Beach is $583 (18%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Couple
$4,539
West Palm Beach · Couple
$5,353
West Palm Beach is $814 (18%) higher than Columbus
Columbus · Family
$6,964
West Palm Beach · Family
$8,180
West Palm Beach is $1,216 (17%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and West Palm Beach.

Is Columbus or West Palm Beach more expensive?

West Palm Beach is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,761/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and West Palm Beach?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,830/mo in West Palm Beach, Florida. West Palm Beach is approximately $636 (53%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; West Palm Beach households earn approximately $81,115 per year.

More on Columbus and West Palm Beach

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

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.