Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Newark?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Newark?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 14% higher in Columbus, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,111

+35% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$875

$978

+12% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,386

+40% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,695

+39% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$337,800

+85% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$48,416

+14% in Columbus, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$61,430

+41% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

34.8 yr

+0.3 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

50.2%

24.1%

+26.1 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

17.4%

+12.3 pp in Columbus, GA

Avg Commute

20.2 min

33.2 min

+13.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

582.5

+5% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,961.8

+14% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

54.9°F

+10.8°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

46.3 in

+0.5 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

23.3

+47% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.93

+52% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbus, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NJ)

6.625%

+2.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

10.75%

+5.6 pp in NJ

Columbus vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Newark?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Newark?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).