Cost of Living: Columbus vs Seattle (2026)

Columbus vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 16% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $116,407 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 16% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $116,407 in Seattle.

Columbus vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricColumbusSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)95111+16%
Median rent$1,224$1,998+63%
Median home value$234,500$912,100+289%
Median household income$65,327$121,984+87%

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 Columbus has the same buying power as about $116,407 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $85,905 in Columbus.

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

Compare any salary: Columbus vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 111 vs 95 — a 16% difference. Your money goes further in Columbus.

About $116,407 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbus.