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Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs Sacramento, CA

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

26.9% Sacramento, CA is more expensive overall
65.1% 65.1% more expensive housing
8.3% 8.3% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 65.1% more
Columbus
86
Sacramento
142
🛒 Groceries 8.3% more
Columbus
96
Sacramento
104
🚗 Transportation 14.3% more
Columbus
98
Sacramento
112
🏥 Healthcare 14.9% more
Columbus
94
Sacramento
108
⚡ Utilities 5.3% more
Columbus
95
Sacramento
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category Columbus, OH Sacramento, CA Difference
Overall Cost Index9311826.9% more
Housing8614265.1% more
Median 1BR Rent$1,100$1,65050.0% more
Median Home Price$260,000$450,00073.1% more
Groceries961048.3% more
Transportation9811214.3% more
Healthcare9410814.9% more
Utilities951005.3% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Columbus, OH Sacramento, CA
State Income Tax3.50% (top)13.30% (top)
State Sales Tax5.75%7.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.41%0.71%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Columbus, OH
$64,000
Median household income
Sacramento, CA
$78,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Sacramento costs more but median income is only slightly higher. 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 Sacramento to maintain your Columbus lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Columbus (93) vs Sacramento (118). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Columbus3.8%
Sacramento4.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
Columbus2.8%
Sacramento2.7%
Top Industries
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech
SacramentoGovernment, Healthcare, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Columbus23 min
Sacramento27 min
Walk Score
Columbus41
Sacramento44
Air Quality (AQI)
Columbus40
Sacramento50
Avg Temperature
Columbus52°F
Sacramento61°F
Population
Columbus905,748
Sacramento524,943

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Planning Your Move?

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

Compare Other Cities

Columbus vs Austin → Columbus vs Denver → Columbus vs Nashville → Sacramento vs Raleigh → Sacramento vs Portland → Sacramento vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus or Sacramento cheaper to live in?+
Columbus is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 65.1%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Columbus vs Sacramento?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,100/month in Columbus and $1,650/month in Sacramento — a difference of about $550 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Columbus or Sacramento?+
Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Sacramento?+
Median household income in Columbus is $64,000 compared to $78,000 in Sacramento. 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 Sacramento?+
The median home price in Columbus is $260,000 versus $450,000 in Sacramento — a difference of $190,000. Property tax rates also differ: Ohio averages 1.41% while California averages 0.71%.