salaryColumbus is the largest city in Ohio that we track, with 914,802 residents. Rent is lower than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.5 years of household income. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $64,440 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Ohio cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Ohio. It is number 224 of 288 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Columbus with other big cities
Compare Columbus to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Columbus?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Columbus
| Size | Columbus | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,200 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,236 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,481 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,614 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,828 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Columbus overall?
Everyday prices in the Columbus metro area are 5% below the U.S. average (index 95.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Columbus
Life in Columbus
What jobs pay in Columbus
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $137,810 | 14.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $137,550 | 14.1% |
| Pharmacist | $133,960 | 14.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,580 | 15.5% |
| Software Developer | $122,340 | 15.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,230 | 18.0% |
| Operations Manager | $102,590 | 18.8% |
| Police Officer | $100,890 | 19.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | 19.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,880 | 20.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $83,900 | 23.0% |
| Accountant | $81,700 | 23.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,150 | 24.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $77,010 | 25.1% |
| Carpenter | $66,480 | 29.1% |
| Electrician | $64,700 | 29.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,440 | 30.0% |
| Plumber | $63,260 | 30.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,910 | 31.2% |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | 31.3% |
| Truck Driver | $61,720 | 31.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,350 | 41.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,140 | 43.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,970 | 45.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,200 | 46.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,490 | 51.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,590 | 52.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,780 | 57.2% |
| Cashier | $30,140 | 64.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Columbus?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $144 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $252,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,290 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Columbus, OH?
Renting in Columbus costs a median of about $1,611 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Ohio median is $1,261.
How much do I need to make to live in Columbus?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $64,440 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbus cheap or expensive?
Columbus is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $71,269. It ranks 224th cheapest of 288 Ohio cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Columbus?
The median homeowner in Columbus pays $3,341 a year in property taxes, about 1.32% of the median home value.
Is Columbus more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $252,900, about 3.5 times the typical yearly household income.
914,802 people live in Columbus. Numbers are typical (middle) values.