salaryColumbus is 10% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in Houston to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$1,314
$1,533
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,116
$1,499
💵 Families earn per year
$62,632
$69,901
🔑 Buying a house
$193,900
$277,800
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
89.3
98.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$1,660
$4,198
⚡ Electric bill per month
$173
$157
👥 People living there
203,711
2,328,253
Commute to work
20.9 min
27.2 min
College degree
30.5%
36.6%
Own their home
50.8%
42.1%
Below poverty line
19%
19.9%
Unemployment
6.3%
6.9%
Bottom line
- Pick Columbus for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes and 3 more.
- Pick Houston for higher incomes, a more educated workforce.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Columbus | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $104,120 | $157,980 | +52% in Houston |
| Police Officer | $49,990 | $74,570 | +49% in Houston |
| Operations Manager | $82,330 | $119,600 | +45% in Houston |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,240 | $104,930 | +31% in Houston |
| Civil Engineer | $77,600 | $100,950 | +30% in Houston |
| Plumber | $47,410 | $61,300 | +29% in Houston |
| HVAC Technician | $46,780 | $58,940 | +26% in Houston |
| Firefighter | $48,770 | $59,120 | +21% in Houston |
Frequently asked questions
Is Columbus or Houston cheaper to live in?
Columbus is about 10% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,314 a month there versus $1,533 in Houston.
What salary do I need in Houston to match $60,000 in Columbus?
About $66,271 a year gives the same standard of living in Houston.
Where do people earn more, Columbus or Houston?
The typical household earns $62,632 in Columbus and $69,901 in Houston, 10% more in Houston.