Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or El Paso?

El Paso, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $33,000 in El Paso.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or El Paso?

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

Columbus vs El Paso Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/mo est.

El Paso

Texas

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,270 in Columbus, OH versus $1,020 in El Paso, TX. Overall, El Paso, TX is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $58,734 in El Paso, TX — about 10% higher in Columbus, OH. 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

El Paso, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$707

+30% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$816

+23% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$993

+22% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,252

+9% in Columbus, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$171,700

+27% in Columbus, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$58,734

+10% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$39,510

+23% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

34.1 yr

+1.1 yr in El Paso, TX

Homeownership

44.3%

60.2%

+15.9 pp in El Paso, TX

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

27.5%

+10.7 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

23.7 min

+1.9 min in El Paso, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.2

319.7

+34% in Columbus, OH

Property Crime

3,093.9

1,509.3

+51% 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

52.7°F

64.6°F

+11.9°F in El Paso, TX

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

9.7 in

+30.4 in in Columbus, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.62/gal

+13% in Columbus, OH

Area: Ohio vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.50

+25% in Columbus, OH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

16.4

+16% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$30.48

+34% in El Paso, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Columbus, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in El Paso, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Columbus, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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 El Paso — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or El Paso?: El Paso, TX is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in El Paso?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $33,000 in El Paso.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or El Paso?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); El Paso 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).