Moving from Cleveland, OH to Columbus, OH
About 5,988 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 3,496 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Columbus, OH.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.7% of income in Cleveland, OH and 21.7% in Columbus, OH.
Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH (monthly)
| Monthly | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, OH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,263 | $1,263 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $123 | $123 | $0 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Columbus. | $146 | $146 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,570 | $4,570 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,050 | $1,346 | +$296 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,050 | $1,346 | +$296 |
| Food | $412 | $412 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.6 | $412 | $412 | $0 |
| Transportation | $153 | $153 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.83/gal (OH weekly average) | $153 | $153 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $27 | $27 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.75% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $27 | $27 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $963 | $963 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.6 | $468 | $468 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.9 | $495 | $495 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,965 | $1,669 | −$296 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 17.1% of income in Cleveland, OH and 17.1% in Columbus, OH.
Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH (monthly)
| Monthly | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, OH | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,711 | $1,711 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $226 | $226 | $0 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Columbus. | $250 | $250 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,289 | $8,289 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,274 | $1,602 | +$328 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,274 | $1,602 | +$328 |
| Childcare | $2,023 | $2,023 | $0 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $232/wk, school-age $150/wk (2022 prices, Franklin County, OH); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,023 | $2,023 | $0 |
| Food | $1,201 | $1,201 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.6 | $1,201 | $1,201 | $0 |
| Transportation | $306 | $306 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.83/gal (OH weekly average) | $306 | $306 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $27 | $27 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5.75% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $27 | $27 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $963 | $963 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.6 | $468 | $468 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.9 | $495 | $495 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,495 | $2,167 | −$328 |
Cleveland, OH vs Columbus, OH at a glance
| Measure | Cleveland, OH | Columbus, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 93.9 | 95.5 |
| Housing price level | 79.4 | 87.9 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,050 | $1,346 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,274 | $1,602 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,628 | $1,909 |
| Median home value | $215,400 | $300,800 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.67% | 1.32% |
| Median household income | $70,678 | $81,945 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $295 | $295 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | Cleveland | Columbus |
| State sales tax | 5.75% | 5.75% |
| Regular gasoline | $3.83 | $3.83 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $148 | $148 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Columbus, OH to keep my Cleveland, OH lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Cleveland, OH, about $75,456 in Columbus, OH (+7.8%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $125,241. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Cleveland, OH?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Columbus, OH is at 95.5 and Cleveland, OH at 93.9 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$296 a month in Columbus, OH.
How many people move from Cleveland, OH to Columbus, OH?+
About 5,988 people a year (±846), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 3,496 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.