Columbus, Ohio has an overall cost of living index of 94.6, which is 5.4 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,295 per month, while the typical home is valued around $252,900. Households earn a median of $66,082 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 22. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$66,082
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,295
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$252,900
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
94.6
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,111
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,194
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,430
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$1,715
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
94.6
Goods
94.1
Rents / Housing
87.1
Services
89.3
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $121,150 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $89,170 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $74,340 |
| ⚡Electrician | $66,040 |
| 📊Accountant | $91,980 |
| 🔧Plumber | $67,350 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $268,330 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $101,120 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $126,020 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $79,910 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $122,830 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $64,150 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $141,410 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
914,802
Latest estimate
Median Age
33.2 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
22.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
46
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,170
Per month
Avg Home Value
$320,760
Census ACS
January Avg
30°F
July Avg
75°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Continental · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
30.6
poor
Hospitals
11
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
89.7%
What is the cost of living index for Columbus?
Columbus has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 94.6. The US national average is 100, so Columbus is 5.4 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $1,295 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Columbus?
The median household income in Columbus is $66,082 per year.
What is the median home value in Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $252,900 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Columbus?
Columbus has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 22.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Columbus?
Tax data for Ohio is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
