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Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Columbus, OH

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

3.1% Columbus, OH is cheaper overall
6.5% 6.5% cheaper housing
2.1% 2.1% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 6.5% cheaper
Houston
92
Columbus
86
🛒 Groceries 2.1% more
Houston
94
Columbus
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Houston
100
Columbus
98
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Houston
95
Columbus
94
⚡ Utilities 10.4% cheaper
Houston
106
Columbus
95

Detailed Breakdown

Category Houston, TX Columbus, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index96933.1% less
Housing92866.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,200$1,1008.3% less
Median Home Price$295,000$260,00011.9% less
Groceries94962.1% more
Transportation10098~Same
Healthcare9594~Same
Utilities1069510.4% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Houston, TX Columbus, OH
State Income TaxNone (0%)3.50% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%5.75%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%1.41%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Houston, TX
$67,000
Median household income
Columbus, OH
$64,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Columbus 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 Columbus to maintain your Houston lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Houston (96) vs Columbus (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Houston4.5%
Columbus3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Houston3.1%
Columbus2.8%
Top Industries
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Houston30 min
Columbus23 min
Walk Score
Houston33
Columbus41
Air Quality (AQI)
Houston52
Columbus40
Avg Temperature
Houston70°F
Columbus52°F
Population
Houston2,304,580
Columbus905,748

Moving from Houston to Columbus?

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Planning Your Move?

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

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

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston or Columbus cheaper to live in?+
Columbus is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 6.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Houston vs Columbus?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,200/month in Houston and $1,100/month in Columbus — a difference of about $100 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Houston or Columbus?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Ohio has a state income tax of 3.50% (top) and sales tax of 5.75%. 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 Houston to Columbus?+
Median household income in Houston is $67,000 compared to $64,000 in Columbus. 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 Houston vs Columbus?+
The median home price in Houston is $295,000 versus $260,000 in Columbus — a difference of $35,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Ohio averages 1.41%.