Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Tucson

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

Bottom line

Columbus is approximately 7% more expensive than Tucson. A single person needs about $3,178/mo in Columbus versus $2,971/mo in Tucson.

Rent in Columbus vs Tucson

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Tucson · Studio

$941

Columbus is $163 (17%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Tucson · 1 bedroom

$1,052

Columbus is $142 (13%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Tucson · 2 bedroom

$1,373

Columbus is $72 (5%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Tucson · 3 bedroom

$1,924

Tucson is $183 (11%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Tucson

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Tucson · Household income

$67,929

Columbus is $5,866 (9%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Tucson · Individual earnings

$37,642

Columbus is $7,646 (20%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Tucson · Per capita

$38,564

Columbus is $4,291 (11%) higher than Tucson

Home values in Columbus vs Tucson

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Tucson · Average home value

$286,900

Tucson is $21,200 (8%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Tucson · Annual property tax

$2,248

Columbus is $1,862 (83%) higher than Tucson

Energy in Columbus vs Tucson

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Tucson · Monthly electricity

$150

Tucson is $19 (15%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Tucson · Monthly gas

$39

Columbus is $24 (62%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Tucson · Annual total

$2,268

Columbus is $60 (3%) higher than Tucson

Healthcare in Columbus vs Tucson

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Tucson · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Tucson are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Tucson · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Tucson are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Tucson · Uninsured rate

8.9%

Tucson is 0.5% (6%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Tucson

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Tucson · State income tax

2.5%

Columbus is 1.0% (40%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Tucson · State sales tax

5.6%

Columbus is 0.2% (3%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Tucson · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Tucson is 1.1% (16%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs Tucson

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Tucson · Average commute

24.4 min

Tucson is 2.6 min (12%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Tucson · Drive alone

70.7%

Tucson is 0.2% (0%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Tucson · Public transit

1.6%

Columbus is 0.1% (6%) higher than Tucson

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Tucson

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Tucson · Single person

$2,971

Columbus is $207 (7%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Tucson · Couple

$4,443

Columbus is $96 (2%) higher than Tucson

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Tucson · Family

$7,144

Tucson is $180 (3%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Tucson.

Is Columbus or Tucson more expensive?

Columbus is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $2,971/mo in Tucson, Arizona, a difference of about 7%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Tucson?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,052/mo in Tucson, Arizona. Columbus is approximately $142 (13%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Tucson?

Columbus has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Tucson households earn approximately $67,929 per year.

More on Columbus and Tucson

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

Columbus profile Tucson 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.