Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Columbus, OH's $1,250, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Oklahoma City?

Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Oklahoma City Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,250/mo est.

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 2% higher in Oklahoma City, OK. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Columbus, OH

Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$795

+22% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$882

+17% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$1,085

+15% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,356

+1% in Columbus, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$215,100

+8% in Columbus, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$66,702

+2% in Oklahoma City, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$47,230

+8% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

35.0 yr

+2.0 yr in Oklahoma City, OK

Homeownership

44.3%

59.1%

+14.8 pp in Oklahoma City, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

34.0%

+4.2 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

22.2 min

+0.4 min in Oklahoma City, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

484.8

685.6

+41% in Oklahoma City, OK

Property Crime

3,092.7

2,928.9

+5% 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

61.5°F

+8.8°F in Oklahoma City, OK

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

36.5 in

+3.6 in in Columbus, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.56/gal

$4.35/gal

+5% in Columbus, OH

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.75

+13% in Columbus, OH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.8

13.6

+28% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.75

$15.95

+16% in Oklahoma City, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.16

+1% in Oklahoma City, OK

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 / OK)

5.75%

4.5%

+1.3 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

4.50%

+1.8 pp in OK

Columbus vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Oklahoma City?: Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Columbus, OH's $1,250, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Oklahoma City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Oklahoma City?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).