Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs Long Beach, CA (2026)

Columbus

Ohio
83
VS

Long Beach

California
169

Columbus is 51% cheaper than Long Beach.

$1,224/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$1,803/mo ↑ 47%
$65,327/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$83,969/yr ↑ 29%
$234,500 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$762,200 ↑ 225%
$1,243/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,890/mo ↑ 52%
906,480
Population
458,491

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Columbus, OH and Long Beach, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 83 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $579/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $6,948/year.

Median household income is $18,642/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Columbus is $234,500 compared to $762,200 in Long Beach.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Columbus slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus vs Long Beach — common questions

Is Columbus or Long Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Columbus and Long Beach?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,224/month and in Long Beach it's $1,803/month — a difference of $579/month.
Which city has higher income, Columbus or Long Beach?
Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus and $83,969 in Long Beach. Median household income is $18,642/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and California?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Columbus or Long Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Columbus has a cost index of 83 with median rent of $1,224/mo, while Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,803/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Columbus details → View Long Beach details →

More Comparisons

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