Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Seattle?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Seattle?

Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,250/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,020/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 $2,020 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 46% higher in Seattle, WA. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Columbus, OH

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$1,638

+62% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$1,858

+75% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$2,359

+85% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$2,918

+113% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$912,100

+289% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$121,984

+87% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$72,610

+41% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

35.5 yr

+2.5 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

44.3%

44.2%

+0.1 pp in Columbus, OH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

67.5%

+29.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

21.8 min

26.6 min

+4.8 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

484.8

787.3

+62% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

3,092.7

5,107.9

+65% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+0.8°F in Seattle, WA

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

37.7 in

+2.4 in in Columbus, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.56/gal

$5.77/gal

+27% in Seattle, WA

Area: Ohio vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.75

+38% in Seattle, WA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.8

14.4

+23% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.75

$17.32

+26% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.37

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$2.10

+17% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.25

+38% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$7.23

+4% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$2.14

+1% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.74

+18% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / WA)

5.75%

6.5%

+0.8 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

None

+2.8 pp in OH

Columbus vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Seattle?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Seattle?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).