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Columbus vs Houston

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Houston is 6% more expensive than Columbus overall.Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 vs Houston at 95 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Houston costs 17% less.

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Columbus
OH
90
COLI index
VS
Houston
TX
95
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryColumbusHoustonDifference
Overall COLI9095+6%
Housing90105+17%
Groceries101103+2%
Transport101104+3%
Healthcare101101Same
Utilities106112+6%

Median 1BR Rent

Columbus
$1,200/mo
Houston
$1,350/mo

Median Home Price

Columbus
$245,000
Houston
$265,000

Median Household Income

Columbus
$56,776
Houston
$56,019

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Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus is cheaper to live in overall. Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 while Houston has an index of 95, where 100 represents the US national average. Houston is 6% more expensive than Columbus overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Columbus is $1,200 per month compared to $1,350 in Houston. The median home price in Columbus is $245,000 versus $265,000 in Houston. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 and Houston has an index of 95, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Columbus, multiply by 1.06. For example a $75,000 salary in Columbus is equivalent to approximately $79,167 in Houston.

Columbus has a median household income of $56,776 per year versus $56,019 in Houston. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Columbus to Houston is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Houston is 6% more expensive overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.