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Cost of Living: San Francisco, 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.

37.2% Columbus, OH is cheaper overall
59.0% 59.0% cheaper housing
16.5% 16.5% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 59.0% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Columbus
86
🛒 Groceries 16.5% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Columbus
96
🚗 Transportation 23.4% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Columbus
98
🏥 Healthcare 20.3% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Columbus
94
⚡ Utilities 12.0% cheaper
San Francisco
108
Columbus
95

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Columbus, OH Difference
Overall Cost Index1489337.2% less
Housing2108659.0% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,10063.3% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$260,00079.2% less
Groceries1159616.5% less
Transportation1289823.4% less
Healthcare1189420.3% less
Utilities1089512.0% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA
$130,000
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 San Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Columbus (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Columbus3.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Columbus2.8%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
ColumbusInsurance, Education, Tech

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Columbus23 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Columbus41
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Columbus40
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Columbus52°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
Columbus905,748

Moving from San Francisco to Columbus?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Francisco 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 Francisco vs Austin → San Francisco vs Denver → San Francisco vs Nashville → Columbus vs Raleigh → Columbus vs Portland → Columbus vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco 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 59.0%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Columbus?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,100/month in Columbus — a difference of about $1,900 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco 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 Francisco to Columbus?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 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 Francisco vs Columbus?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $260,000 in Columbus — a difference of $990,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Ohio averages 1.41%.