Columbus vs Houston
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Columbus, OH and Houston, TX.
Columbus, OH
COL Index
93
Monthly Budget
$4,650
State Tax
3.5%
Population
0.9M
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
Columbus is 3% less expensive than Houston
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Columbus | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,477 | $1,551 | -$74 |
| Groceries | $614 | $629 | -$15 |
| Transport | $750 | $771 | -$21 |
| Healthcare | $380 | $389 | -$9 |
| Utilities | $279 | $288 | -$9 |
| Other | $1,133 | $1,162 | -$29 |
| Total | $4,650 | $4,800 | -$150 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Columbus (OH) | Houston (TX) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $2,045 | $0 | +$2,045 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $22,865 | $20,820 | +$2,045 |
| Take-Home Pay | $77,135 | $79,180 | -$2,045 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Columbus salary is worth in Houston (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Columbus Salary | Equivalent in Houston | Houston Salary | Equivalent in Columbus |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $51,613 | $50,000 | $48,438 |
| $75,000 | $77,419 | $75,000 | $72,656 |
| $100,000 | $103,226 | $100,000 | $96,875 |
| $150,000 | $154,839 | $150,000 | $145,313 |