Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Dallas?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Dallas, TX's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $51,000 in Dallas.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Dallas?

Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Dallas Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,250/mo est.

Dallas

Texas

$1,470/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,250 in Columbus, OH versus $1,470 in Dallas, TX. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $67,760 in Dallas, TX — about 4% higher in Dallas, TX. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Columbus, OH

Dallas, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$1,259

+24% in Dallas, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$1,280

+21% in Dallas, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$1,500

+18% in Dallas, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,559

+14% in Dallas, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$295,300

+26% in Dallas, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$67,760

+4% in Dallas, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$51,440

+0% in Dallas, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

33.4 yr

+0.4 yr in Dallas, TX

Homeownership

44.3%

42.4%

+1.9 pp in Columbus, OH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

37.4%

+0.8 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

26.0 min

+4.2 min in Dallas, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

484.8

661.7

+36% in Dallas, TX

Property Crime

3,092.7

3,411.8

+10% in Dallas, TX

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

67.2°F

+14.5°F in Dallas, TX

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

37.6 in

+2.5 in in Columbus, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.56/gal

$3.96/gal

+13% in Columbus, OH

Area: Ohio vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.50

+25% in Dallas, TX

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.8

16.4

+13% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.75

$24.61

+79% in Dallas, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.16

+1% in Dallas, TX

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$1.73

+3% in Columbus, OH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$6.56

+6% in Columbus, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$1.90

+12% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.61

+3% in Columbus, OH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / TX)

5.75%

6.25%

+0.5 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Columbus vs Dallas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Dallas?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Dallas, TX's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Dallas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $51,000 in Dallas.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Dallas?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).