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