Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs College Station, TX (2026)

Columbus

Ohio
83
VS

College Station

Texas
91

Columbus is 9% cheaper than College Station.

$1,224/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,168/mo ↓ 5%
$65,327/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$51,776/yr ↓ 21%
$234,500 ↓ 28%
Home Value
$326,500 ↑ 39%
$1,243/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,251/mo ≈ Same
906,480
Population
122,280

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Columbus, OH and College Station, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 83 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $56/month cheaper in College Station, saving renters about $672/year.

Median household income is $13,551/year higher in Columbus. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Columbus is $234,500 compared to $326,500 in College Station.

Texas has no state income tax, giving College Station residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus vs College Station — common questions

Is Columbus or College Station cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Columbus and College Station?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,224/month and in College Station it's $1,168/month — a difference of $56/month.
Which city has higher income, Columbus or College Station?
Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus and $51,776 in College Station. Median household income is $13,551/year higher in Columbus.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Texas?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Columbus or College Station?
It depends on your priorities. Columbus has a cost index of 83 with median rent of $1,224/mo, while College Station has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,168/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Columbus and College Station

Columbus vs. Fort Worth Columbus vs. Charlotte Columbus vs. Jacksonville Columbus vs. Indianapolis Columbus vs. Austin Columbus vs. San Francisco College Station vs. Clovis College Station vs. Independence College Station vs. Arvada College Station vs. Rochester College Station vs. Concord College Station vs. Lafayette