Columbus is about 8% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $92,156 in Columbus.
Chicago vs Columbus: the numbers
| Metric | Chicago | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 104 | 95 | -8% |
| Median rent | $1,380 | $1,224 | -11% |
| Median home value | $315,200 | $234,500 | -26% |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $65,327 | -13% |
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 Chicago has the same buying power as about $92,156 in Columbus. Going the other way, $100,000 in Columbus is like $108,512 in Chicago.
Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Columbus.