Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Tacoma?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Tacoma?

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

Columbus vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 22% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$1,178

+16% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$1,332

+26% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$1,693

+33% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$2,094

+53% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$454,600

+94% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$83,857

+28% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$72,610

+41% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

37.3 yr

+4.3 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

44.3%

56.5%

+12.2 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

33.5%

+4.7 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

29.0 min

+7.2 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.2

1,064.4

+119% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

3,093.9

5,695.2

+84% in Tacoma, 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

52.1°F

+0.6°F in Columbus, OH

Annual Precipitation

40.1 in

43.0 in

+2.9 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$5.12/gal

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Ohio vs Washington.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

14.9

+23% in Columbus, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$20.41

+11% in Columbus, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Columbus, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Tacoma?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Tacoma?: Columbus is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).