Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Columbus is approximately 3% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,178/mo in Columbus versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Columbus vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Detroit · Studio

$991

Columbus is $113 (11%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Columbus is $104 (10%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Columbus is $67 (5%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Columbus is $53 (3%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Columbus is $14,274 (24%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Columbus is $5,309 (13%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Columbus is $8,899 (26%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Columbus vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Columbus is $95,500 (56%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Columbus is $1,316 (47%) higher than Detroit

Energy in Columbus vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Columbus is $3 (2%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Columbus and Detroit are about the same

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Columbus is $36 (2%) higher than Detroit

Healthcare in Columbus vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Detroit are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Detroit are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Columbus is 2.7% (47%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Columbus vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Detroit is 0.8% (21%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit is 0.3% (4%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Columbus is 1.2% (21%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Columbus vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Detroit is 3.2 min (15%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 2.5% (4%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit is 0.5% (29%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Columbus is $90 (3%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Columbus is $193 (4%) higher than Detroit

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Columbus is $175 (3%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Detroit.

Is Columbus or Detroit more expensive?

Columbus is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 3%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Columbus is approximately $104 (10%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Detroit?

Columbus has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Columbus and Detroit

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

Columbus profile Detroit 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.