Cost of Living: Boston vs Columbus (2026)

Boston vs Columbus cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Columbus is about 12% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $88,180 in Columbus.

Columbus is about 12% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $88,180 in Columbus.

Boston vs Columbus: the numbers

MetricBostonColumbusDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10895-12%
Median rent$2,093$1,224-42%
Median home value$710,400$234,500-67%
Median household income$94,755$65,327-31%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $88,180 in Columbus. Going the other way, $100,000 in Columbus is like $113,404 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and Columbus.

Compare any salary: Boston vs Columbus

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 95 — a 12% difference. Your money goes further in Columbus.

About $88,180 — that's what you'd need in Columbus to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.