Living in Columbus, OH

The Columbus Cost of Living is Low

Sperling’s Best Places rates cost of living on a scale where the US average is 100. Locations which score higher than 100 are more expensive than the average. Those that score less than 100 are less expensive than average.

On that scale, Ohio gets a rating of 87.7, and Columbus gets a rating of 90.4. Utilities and transportation costs are just marginally higher than the US average, but all other costs across the board are lower. Some of the most substantial savings are in the area of housing, as we will discuss a few sections down.

Columbus Taxes

State income taxes in Ohio range up to 4.997%. This is a bit higher than the state tax rates in Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania. But it is significant lower than the tax rates in Kentucky and West Virginia.

The general sales tax rate in Columbus is 5.75%, while the combined rate is 7.5%. This is neither the lowest nor the highest sales tax rate around.

Employment in Columbus is Growing

The US Census reports that the median household income in Columbus is around $49,478. The per capita income on average is around $26,778, and just over 20% of the population lives in poverty. Even though this is a bit lower than the average income nationwide, remember that the cost of living is lower as well.

The unemployment rate in Columbus according to Sperling’s is 3.80%, which is lower than the 3.90% reported for the nation. That’s great news for job candidates! Even though recent Columbus job growth has been lagging behind US job growth, future local job growth is actually expected to outstrip it. That means more and more opportunity.

How Much Does the Average Home Cost in Columbus?

Sperling’s records the median home cost in Columbus as $156,400, which is a great deal lower than the $219,700 median home cost nationwide. As housing is a long-term investment, this is excellent for your financial present and future.

Columbus is a Hotspot for Education

In all, there are 236 public schools and 48 private schools in Columbus, adding up to 284 schools altogether. Of interest is the fact that $18,391 is spent on every student by the school system in Columbus. This is impressively higher than the $12,383 average for the country.

There are two public colleges in the city. These are the Ohio State University and the Columbus State Community College. U.S. News & World Report has given high rankings to the Ohio State University. There are also a number of private higher education institutions to choose from.

All in all, education is a great reason to make Columbus, Ohio your long-term home. Opportunities abound for students of all ages.

Getting Around Columbus

There are multiple bus services operating in the area. These include a municipal service provided by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and intercity buses operated by a variety of companies.

It may not surprise you that the majority of people who live in the Columbus metropolitan area drive to and from work since there is no rail. The average commute time in one direction is 21.6 minutes, which is a significant reduction from the 26.4 minute nationwide average. That is awesome if you hate being stuck in traffic.

How is the Weather in Columbus?

Love variety in your weather? Then you will be a fan of the Columbus climate. On average, you can expect 40 inches of rain (just an inch above the US average). You will get about 22 average snowfall inches annually (a few inches less than the nationwide average). The average sunny days are 178 (compared to 202 for the country) each year.

As for temperatures, wintertime lows drop to around 20°F while summertime highs range up to around 85°F. That means that it can get a bit cold during the winter, but at least you know that it will not fit to blazing hot during the summer.

Leisure and Entertainment in Columbus

Columbus is home to a number of well-known festivals during the year. Some of these include the Columbus Arts Festival, the Jazz and Ribs Festival, and Rock on the Range. So there is always something exciting to participate in.

If you enjoy parks and gardens, Columbus is a particularly lovely city to move to. Within the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District alone, there are a number of destinations worth visiting. Some of these include Highbanks Metro Park, the Inniswood Metro Gardens, and Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park.

Other popular area attractions include the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, the German Village, and Short North Arts District. Whether you are looking to learn, shop, dine, or enjoy the city’s nightlife, you will find plenty to fill your weeknights and weekends.

For sports fans, there is something for everyone in Columbus. If you enjoy following college sports, you’re going to love keeping up with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Soccer fans can watch Columbus Crew SC, hockey fans can follow the Columbus Blue Jackets, and baseball fans can root for the Columbus Clippers.