Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Salt Lake City

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bottom line

Salt Lake City is approximately 10% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Salt Lake City

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Salt Lake City · Studio

$1,243

Salt Lake City is $139 (13%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Salt Lake City · 1 bedroom

$1,453

Salt Lake City is $259 (22%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Salt Lake City · 2 bedroom

$1,748

Salt Lake City is $303 (21%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Salt Lake City · 3 bedroom

$2,348

Salt Lake City is $607 (35%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Salt Lake City

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Salt Lake City · Household income

$94,658

Salt Lake City is $20,863 (28%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Salt Lake City · Individual earnings

$46,252

Salt Lake City is $964 (2%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Salt Lake City · Per capita

$43,393

Salt Lake City is $538 (1%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Salt Lake City

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Salt Lake City · Average home value

$484,500

Salt Lake City is $218,800 (82%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Salt Lake City · Annual property tax

$2,726

Columbus is $1,384 (51%) higher than Salt Lake City

Energy in Columbus vs Salt Lake City

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Salt Lake City · Monthly electricity

$90

Columbus is $41 (46%) higher than Salt Lake City

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Salt Lake City · Monthly gas

$50

Columbus is $13 (26%) higher than Salt Lake City

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Salt Lake City · Annual total

$1,680

Columbus is $648 (39%) higher than Salt Lake City

Healthcare in Columbus vs Salt Lake City

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Salt Lake City · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Salt Lake City are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Salt Lake City · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Salt Lake City are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Salt Lake City · Uninsured rate

9.6%

Salt Lake City is 1.2% (14%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Salt Lake City

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Salt Lake City · State income tax

4.7%

Salt Lake City is 1.2% (33%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Salt Lake City · State sales tax

6.1%

Salt Lake City is 0.3% (6%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Salt Lake City · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Columbus is 0.0% (1%) higher than Salt Lake City

Transportation in Columbus vs Salt Lake City

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Salt Lake City · Average commute

22.4 min

Salt Lake City is 0.6 min (3%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Salt Lake City · Drive alone

66.8%

Columbus is 3.7% (6%) higher than Salt Lake City

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Salt Lake City · Public transit

2.3%

Salt Lake City is 0.6% (35%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Salt Lake City

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Salt Lake City · Single person

$3,494

Salt Lake City is $316 (10%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Salt Lake City · Couple

$5,349

Salt Lake City is $810 (18%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Salt Lake City · Family

$8,084

Salt Lake City is $1,120 (16%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Salt Lake City.

Is Columbus or Salt Lake City more expensive?

Salt Lake City is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah, a difference of about 10%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Salt Lake City?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,453/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt Lake City is approximately $259 (22%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Salt Lake City households earn approximately $94,658 per year.

More on Columbus and Salt Lake City

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

Columbus profile Salt Lake City 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.