Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or Columbus?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Anchorage, AK's $1,320, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Anchorage than in Columbus?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Anchorage versus $42,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Anchorage or Columbus?

Anchorage is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Columbus under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Anchorage vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Anchorage

Alaska

$1,320/mo est.

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,320 in Anchorage, AK versus $1,270 in Columbus, OH. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anchorage, AK, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $98,152 in Anchorage, AK and $65,327 in Columbus, OH — about 33% higher in Anchorage, AK. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Anchorage, AK

Columbus, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,001

$1,014

+1% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,052

$1,059

+1% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,433

$1,276

+11% in Anchorage, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,952

$1,369

+30% in Anchorage, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$375,900

$234,500

+38% in Anchorage, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$98,152

$65,327

+33% in Anchorage, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,200

$51,340

+15% in Anchorage, AK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

33.0 yr

+1.9 yr in Anchorage, AK

Homeownership

63.7%

44.3%

+19.4 pp in Anchorage, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.7%

38.2%

+0.5 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

19.0 min

21.8 min

+2.8 min in Columbus, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,016.5

485.2

+52% in Anchorage, AK

Property Crime

2,796.2

3,093.9

+11% in Columbus, OH

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

37.4°F

52.7°F

+15.3°F in Columbus, OH

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

40.1 in

+22.2 in in Columbus, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$4.18/gal

+18% in Anchorage, AK

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs COTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.2

19.5

+31% in Anchorage, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.40

$22.83

+59% in Columbus, OH

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Anchorage, AK

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Anchorage, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Anchorage, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Anchorage, AK

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AK / OH)

None

5.75%

+5.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

None

2.75%

+2.8 pp in OH

Anchorage vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or Columbus?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Anchorage, AK's $1,320, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anchorage than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Anchorage versus $42,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Anchorage or Columbus?: Anchorage is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Columbus under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).