Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs San Jose

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 83% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $1,504 (136%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,781 (149%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $2,001 (138%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $2,736 (157%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $85,879 (116%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $28,742 (63%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $34,163 (80%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $1,117,100 (420%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $5,656 (138%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Columbus vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

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

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

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

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

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

Healthcare in Columbus vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and San Jose are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and San Jose are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Columbus is 4.4% (110%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Columbus vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

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

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

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

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

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

Transportation in Columbus vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

San Jose is 5.2 min (24%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Columbus is 8.8% (14%) higher than San Jose

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

San Jose is 1.0% (59%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $2,645 (83%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $4,653 (103%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $5,466 (78%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and San Jose.

Is Columbus or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 83%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,781 (149%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Columbus and San Jose

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

Columbus profile San Jose 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.