Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Columbus?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $42,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Columbus?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbus under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/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 $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,270 in Columbus, OH. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $65,327 in Columbus, OH — about 37% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Columbus, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,014

+18% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,059

+34% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,276

+32% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,369

+39% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$234,500

+54% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$65,327

+37% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$51,340

+13% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

33.0 yr

+7.9 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

44.3%

+15.5 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

38.2%

+15.5 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

21.8 min

+6.9 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

485.2

+40% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

3,093.9

+47% 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

57.1°F

52.7°F

+4.4°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

40.1 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.18/gal

+8% in Columbus, OH

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

19.5

+10% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$22.83

+21% in Columbus, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Columbus, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Annapolis, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Columbus, OH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / OH)

5.75%

+0.3 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

2.75%

+3.8 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Columbus?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $42,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Columbus?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% 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).