Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Denver?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $63,000 in Denver.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Denver?

Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,250/mo est.

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 29% higher in Denver, CO. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Columbus, OH

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$1,497

+48% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$1,583

+49% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$1,958

+53% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$2,269

+66% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$586,700

+150% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$91,681

+40% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$62,320

+21% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

35.2 yr

+2.2 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

44.3%

49.1%

+4.8 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

55.6%

+17.4 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

21.8 min

25.4 min

+3.6 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

484.8

998.3

+106% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

3,092.7

4,781.9

+55% in Denver, CO

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

50.2°F

+2.5°F in Columbus, OH

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

15.6 in

+24.5 in in Columbus, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.56/gal

$4.58/gal

+0% in Denver, CO

Area: Ohio vs Denver.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.75

+38% in Denver, CO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.8

16.7

+11% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.75

$11.64

+15% in Columbus, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.37

+6% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$2.10

+17% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.25

+38% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$7.23

+4% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$2.14

+1% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.74

+18% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / CO)

5.75%

2.9%

+2.9 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

4.40%

+1.7 pp in CO

Columbus vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Denver?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Denver?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).