Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Lewiston?

Lewiston, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Lewiston?

Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Lewiston under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Lewiston Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/mo est.

Lewiston

Maine

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Lewiston, ME. Overall, Lewiston, ME is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $56,558 in Lewiston, ME — about 13% higher in Columbus, OH. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Columbus, OH

Lewiston, ME

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$559

+45% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$749

+29% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$1,047

+18% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,209

+12% in Columbus, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$214,200

+9% in Columbus, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$56,558

+13% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$49,540

+4% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

37.8 yr

+4.8 yr in Lewiston, ME

Homeownership

44.3%

50.3%

+6.0 pp in Lewiston, ME

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

21.7%

+16.5 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

20.7 min

+1.1 min in Columbus, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.2

244.5

+50% in Columbus, OH

Property Crime

3,093.9

1,616.5

+48% 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

45.8°F

+6.9°F in Columbus, OH

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

51.1 in

+11.0 in in Lewiston, ME

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.94/gal

+4% in Lewiston, ME

Area: Ohio vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

29.6

+54% in Lewiston, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$31.62

+39% in Lewiston, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Lewiston, ME

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Lewiston, ME

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Lewiston, ME

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Lewiston, ME

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / ME)

5.75%

5.5%

+0.3 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

7.15%

+4.4 pp in ME

Columbus vs Lewiston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Lewiston?: Lewiston, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Lewiston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $30,000 in Lewiston.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Lewiston?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Lewiston under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% 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).