Home › Compare › Columbus, OH vs Oklahoma City, OK

Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs Oklahoma City, OK

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

5.4% Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper overall
11.6% 11.6% cheaper housing
3.1% 3.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 11.6% cheaper
Columbus
86
Oklahoma City
76
🛒 Groceries 3.1% cheaper
Columbus
96
Oklahoma City
93
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Columbus
98
Oklahoma City
96
🏥 Healthcare 2.1% cheaper
Columbus
94
Oklahoma City
92
⚡ Utilities 5.3% more
Columbus
95
Oklahoma City
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category Columbus, OH Oklahoma City, OK Difference
Overall Cost Index93885.4% less
Housing867611.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,100$95013.6% less
Median Home Price$260,000$210,00019.2% less
Groceries96933.1% less
Transportation9896~Same
Healthcare94922.1% less
Utilities951005.3% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Columbus, OH Oklahoma City, OK
State Income Tax3.50% (top)4.75%
State Sales Tax5.75%4.50%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.41%0.85%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Columbus, OH
$64,000
Median household income
Oklahoma City, OK
$58,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Oklahoma City costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Oklahoma City to maintain your Columbus lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Columbus (93) vs Oklahoma City (88). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Columbus3.8%
Oklahoma City3.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
Columbus2.8%
Oklahoma City2.4%
Top Industries
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech
Oklahoma CityEnergy, Aerospace, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Columbus23 min
Oklahoma City22 min
Walk Score
Columbus41
Oklahoma City32
Air Quality (AQI)
Columbus40
Oklahoma City44
Avg Temperature
Columbus52°F
Oklahoma City60°F
Population
Columbus905,748
Oklahoma City681,054

Moving from Columbus to Oklahoma City?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Columbus and Oklahoma City → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Oklahoma City →

Compare Other Cities

Columbus vs Austin → Columbus vs Denver → Columbus vs Nashville → Oklahoma City vs Raleigh → Oklahoma City vs Portland → Oklahoma City vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus or Oklahoma City cheaper to live in?+
Oklahoma City is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 11.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Columbus vs Oklahoma City?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,100/month in Columbus and $950/month in Oklahoma City — a difference of about $150 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Columbus or Oklahoma City?+
Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. Oklahoma has a state income tax of 4.75% and sales tax of 4.50%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Columbus to Oklahoma City?+
Median household income in Columbus is $64,000 compared to $58,000 in Oklahoma City. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Columbus vs Oklahoma City?+
The median home price in Columbus is $260,000 versus $210,000 in Oklahoma City — a difference of $50,000. Property tax rates also differ: Ohio averages 1.41% while Oklahoma averages 0.85%.