Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Austin

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Austin, Texas.

Bottom line

Austin is approximately 17% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,706/mo in Austin versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Austin

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Austin · Studio

$1,549

Austin is $445 (40%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Austin · 1 bedroom

$1,650

Austin is $456 (38%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Austin · 2 bedroom

$1,949

Austin is $504 (35%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Austin · 3 bedroom

$2,484

Austin is $743 (43%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Austin

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Austin · Household income

$97,169

Austin is $23,374 (32%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Austin · Individual earnings

$55,186

Austin is $9,898 (22%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Austin · Per capita

$59,289

Austin is $16,434 (38%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Austin

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Austin · Average home value

$487,600

Austin is $221,900 (84%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Austin · Annual property tax

$7,487

Austin is $3,377 (82%) higher than Columbus

Energy in Columbus vs Austin

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Austin · Monthly electricity

$167

Austin is $36 (27%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Austin · Monthly gas

$32

Columbus is $31 (97%) higher than Austin

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Austin · Annual total

$2,388

Austin is $60 (3%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs Austin

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Austin · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Austin are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Austin · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Austin are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Austin · Uninsured rate

12.2%

Austin is 3.8% (45%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Austin

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Austin · State income tax

0.0%

Columbus is 3.5% higher than Austin

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Austin · State sales tax

6.3%

Austin is 0.5% (9%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Austin · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Austin is 0.9% (13%) higher than Columbus

Transportation in Columbus vs Austin

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Austin · Average commute

25.4 min

Austin is 3.6 min (17%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Austin · Drive alone

59.7%

Columbus is 10.8% (18%) higher than Austin

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Austin · Public transit

1.7%

Columbus and Austin are about the same

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Austin

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Austin · Single person

$3,706

Austin is $528 (17%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Austin · Couple

$5,280

Austin is $741 (16%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Austin · Family

$7,957

Austin is $993 (14%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Austin.

Is Columbus or Austin more expensive?

Austin is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas, a difference of about 17%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Austin?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,650/mo in Austin, Texas. Austin is approximately $456 (38%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Austin?

Austin has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year.

More on Columbus and Austin

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

Columbus profile Austin 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.