Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Raleigh is approximately 20% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,827/mo in Raleigh versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Raleigh is $429 (39%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Raleigh is $398 (33%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Raleigh is $318 (22%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Raleigh is $451 (26%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Raleigh is $27,968 (38%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Raleigh is $9,424 (21%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Raleigh is $10,094 (24%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Raleigh is $157,100 (59%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Columbus is $1,087 (36%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Columbus vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Raleigh is $16 (12%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Columbus is $23 (57%) higher than Raleigh

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Columbus is $84 (4%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Columbus vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Raleigh are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Raleigh are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Columbus is 0.2% (2%) higher than Raleigh

Taxes in Columbus vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Raleigh is 1.0% (29%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Columbus is 1.0% (21%) higher than Raleigh

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Columbus is 0.2% (3%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in Columbus vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Raleigh is 3.5 min (16%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Columbus is 6.1% (9%) higher than Raleigh

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Columbus is 1.0% (143%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Raleigh is $649 (20%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Raleigh is $987 (22%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Raleigh is $1,123 (16%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Raleigh.

Is Columbus or Raleigh more expensive?

Raleigh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh is approximately $398 (33%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Columbus and Raleigh

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

Columbus profile Raleigh 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.