San Francisco vs Columbus: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Francisco, CA and Columbus, OH, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Columbus, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 851,036 | 902,449 |
| Median household income | $136,689 | $62,994 |
| Median home value | $1,348,700 | $212,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,316 | $1,161 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Francisco, CA and Columbus, OH comes down to what you value most. Columbus has the lower median home value, and Columbus has the lower median rent.
San Francisco has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or Columbus?
- By median home value, Columbus is the cheaper of the two ($212,500 vs $1,348,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Francisco or Columbus?
- Median household income is $136,689 in San Francisco versus $62,994 in Columbus, per the US Census Bureau.