Home › Compare › San Diego, CA vs Columbus, OH

Cost of Living: San Diego, CA 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.

29.5% Columbus, OH is cheaper overall
48.8% 48.8% cheaper housing
11.1% 11.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 48.8% cheaper
San Diego
168
Columbus
86
🛒 Groceries 11.1% cheaper
San Diego
108
Columbus
96
🚗 Transportation 16.9% cheaper
San Diego
118
Columbus
98
🏥 Healthcare 16.1% cheaper
San Diego
112
Columbus
94
⚡ Utilities 8.7% cheaper
San Diego
104
Columbus
95

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Diego, CA Columbus, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index1329329.5% less
Housing1688648.8% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,300$1,10052.2% less
Median Home Price$820,000$260,00068.3% less
Groceries1089611.1% less
Transportation1189816.9% less
Healthcare1129416.1% less
Utilities104958.7% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Diego, CA Columbus, OH
State Income Tax13.30% (top)3.50% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%5.75%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%1.41%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Diego, CA
$89,000
Median household income
Columbus, OH
$64,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Columbus outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Columbus to maintain your San Diego lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: San Diego (132) vs Columbus (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Diego4.0%
Columbus3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Diego2.9%
Columbus2.8%
Top Industries
San DiegoDefense, Biotech, Tourism
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Diego25 min
Columbus23 min
Walk Score
San Diego51
Columbus41
Air Quality (AQI)
San Diego45
Columbus40
Avg Temperature
San Diego64°F
Columbus52°F
Population
San Diego1,381,611
Columbus905,748

Moving from San Diego to Columbus?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Diego 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

San Diego vs Austin → San Diego vs Denver → San Diego vs Nashville → Columbus vs Raleigh → Columbus vs Portland → Columbus vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego 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 48.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Diego vs Columbus?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,300/month in San Diego and $1,100/month in Columbus — a difference of about $1,200 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Diego or Columbus?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 San Diego to Columbus?+
Median household income in San Diego is $89,000 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 San Diego vs Columbus?+
The median home price in San Diego is $820,000 versus $260,000 in Columbus — a difference of $560,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Ohio averages 1.41%.