Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, 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 $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Newark?

Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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

Ohio

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Columbus, OH versus $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 26% higher in Columbus, OH. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Columbus, OH

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$1,111

+10% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$978

+8% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$1,386

+9% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,695

+24% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$337,800

+44% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$48,416

+26% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$61,430

+20% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

34.8 yr

+1.8 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

44.3%

24.1%

+20.2 pp in Columbus, OH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

17.4%

+20.8 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

33.2 min

+11.4 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.2

582.5

+20% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

3,093.9

1,961.8

+37% 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

54.9°F

+2.2°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

46.3 in

+6.1 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.86/gal

+8% in Columbus, OH

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)

19.5

23.3

+19% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$15.93

+30% in Columbus, OH

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 Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / NJ)

5.75%

6.625%

+0.9 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

10.75%

+8.0 pp in NJ

Columbus vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, 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 $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Newark?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).