Columbus vs Austin: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 902,449 | 958,202 |
| Median household income | $62,994 | $86,556 |
| Median home value | $212,500 | $461,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,161 | $1,549 |
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 Columbus, OH and Austin, TX comes down to what you value most. Columbus has the lower median home value, and Columbus has the lower median rent.
Austin 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 Columbus or Austin?
- By median home value, Columbus is the cheaper of the two ($212,500 vs $461,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Columbus or Austin?
- Median household income is $62,994 in Columbus versus $86,556 in Austin, per the US Census Bureau.