Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Columbus

Ohio
83
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Columbus is 37% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,224/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 45%
$65,327/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 22%
$234,500 ↓ 49%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 94%
$1,243/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 43%
906,480
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
0%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Columbus, OH and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 83 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $552/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $6,624/year.

Median household income is $14,608/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Columbus is $234,500 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Columbus or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Columbus and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,224/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $552/month.
Which city has higher income, Columbus or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $14,608/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Florida?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Columbus or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Columbus has a cost index of 83 with median rent of $1,224/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Columbus details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Columbus and Fort Lauderdale

Columbus vs. Fort Worth Columbus vs. Charlotte Columbus vs. Jacksonville Columbus vs. Indianapolis Columbus vs. Austin Columbus vs. San Francisco Fort Lauderdale vs. Shreveport Fort Lauderdale vs. Chattanooga Fort Lauderdale vs. Newport News Fort Lauderdale vs. Aurora Fort Lauderdale vs. Mobile Fort Lauderdale vs. Ontario