Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs San Diego

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and San Diego, California.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 42% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $1,041 (94%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $1,134 (95%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $1,436 (99%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $2,111 (121%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $28,490 (39%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $4,264 (9%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $7,036 (16%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $525,900 (198%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $1,432 (35%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Columbus vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $36 (27%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Columbus is $13 (26%) higher than San Diego

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $276 (12%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and San Diego are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and San Diego are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Columbus is 1.6% (24%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Columbus vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 9.8% (280%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 1.5% (26%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 1.6% (22%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

San Diego is 4.1 min (19%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Columbus is 2.9% (4%) higher than San Diego

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego is 0.5% (29%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $1,333 (42%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $2,402 (53%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $3,155 (45%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and San Diego.

Is Columbus or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 42%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $1,134 (95%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Columbus and San Diego

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

Columbus profile San Diego 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.