You're scrolling through job postings or weighing a company transfer, and Columbus keeps coming up. You've heard the buzz about economic growth and new employers moving in, but the real question is whether you can actually afford to live here. I get calls every single day from people watching videos just like this one, trying to figure out if Columbus makes sense for their budget. The short answer: yes, Columbus is still very affordable compared to most major metros. The longer answer involves some honest talk about what's changed, what you'll actually spend, and why waiting another five years might price you out.

Columbus sits in a sweet spot right now. Housing costs are 20% below the national average, and the overall cost of living runs about 10% cheaper than what you'd pay across the U.S. as a whole. That gap matters when you're comparing offers in New York, Chicago, California, or Florida, all markets where prices have climbed so high that the same salary buys you a lot less house and a tighter monthly budget. But I'm not going to sugarcoat it: Columbus isn't frozen in 2008. You will not find $100,000 homes anymore, especially if you want a good suburb with a solid school district. Prices are rising here just like everywhere else, and if the current growth trajectory holds, we could look a lot more like those expensive markets in another decade.

In this guide, I'm breaking down what it actually costs to live in Columbus in 2023, housing, transportation, groceries, dining out, healthcare, and the lifestyle trade-offs that make one neighborhood more or less expensive than another. I'll give you the numbers I see as a licensed realtor working with buyers every week, the comparisons that show where Columbus still has an edge, and the reality check on why now is the time to move if affordability is part of your decision.

Table of Contents

• Columbus, Ohio: What You'll Actually Spend in 2023
• Which Lifestyle Fits Your Budget: Downtown vs. Suburbs
• Conclusion

Columbus, Ohio: What You'll Actually Spend in 2023

Let's start with the number everyone wants to know: housing. As of March 2023, the median home sale in Columbus was $286,000. Compare that to California's median of over $790,000, and you can see the huge gap. I know California is one of the more expensive states, but a lot of my clients are coming from there, so that comparison matters. Whether you're looking at new construction or an existing home, your money goes a lot further here than it would in New York, Chicago, California, or Florida. Those markets have really, really gotten really expensive, and Columbus is still much more affordable by comparison.

But here's the thing: do not wait on the sidelines. Columbus's economic growth is skyrocketing. Many people are seeing the trends and moving here, which means home prices and the cost of living will go up, especially housing. If you wait five to ten years, Columbus may be as expensive as those other markets I just mentioned. I'm telling you this because I want you to buy a home as soon as you can in 2023 before prices climb higher. If you want to be in a good suburb with a good school district and buy a home for your family, you will have to spend some money. You will not find $100,000 homes like you could back in 2008. That era is over.

Transportation is another area where Columbus stays affordable. The average price per gallon of gas as of March 2023 was $3.42. When you compare that to the national average, it's way more affordable to drive around here and fill up your car than it would be in bigger states. I highly recommend you budget for gas if you're like me and drive a lot. A lot of people focus on housing but overlook transportation costs, and that's a mistake. If you don't have a car, don't worry, Columbus has a great bus system called COTA, the Central Ohio Transit Authority. A monthly pass for unlimited rides is $62, or you can get a day pass for $4.50. I highly recommend the monthly pass if you don't have a car. That's really affordable. And if you don't want to do that, we have Ubers and Lyfts, so there are plenty of ways to get around town. The cost of an Uber ride depends on the time of day and where you're going, just like anywhere else, so factor that into your transportation budget.

Groceries are another big piece of the puzzle. If you're like me, you love food. I usually shop at Costco, Trader Joe's, or Whole Foods in my area, and I spend around $100 to $150 per week. Keep in mind I shop organic sometimes, so if you don't, you can expect to spend a little less. If you're a single person buying groceries and eating every single day, budget around $100 to $150 a week. That's just my personal experience. If you have a family, my friend just told me she spent $350 to feed herself and her three kids. Groceries really depend on how much food you're going to buy and where you buy it. If you shop at Meijer or Kroger, it's going to be more affordable than Whole Foods or an organic store like Trader Joe's or Fresh Thyme. Just keep that in mind, how many people you have to feed and how much you buy per week will determine what you spend at the grocery store.

When it comes to eating out, it depends on where you go. I usually spend around $10 to $15 if I hit up Chipotle or anywhere for quick food. If I go to a fine dining restaurant here in Columbus, expect to spend $50 to $100 for a really nice meal, a steak dinner or a nice pasta at a restaurant in the Short North or German Village area. If you go out to eat a lot, you will be spending more money here in Columbus. Just wanted to factor that in.

Healthcare is another cost people ask about. Here in Columbus, expect to budget around $100 to $200 per doctor visit. As always, this varies depending on what company you work for and what insurance package you have, but you'll usually pay a deductible around $100 to $200 when you go to the doctor's or dentist office. That's what I've experienced here in Columbus. You may have a different experience where you live now, but if you come here, that's what you can expect.

So when you add it all up, Columbus is 10% cheaper overall to live here than the national average when you look at other U.S. states. Housing is 20% cheaper than the national average. Utilities are 7% cheaper. Transportation is 3% cheaper. As you can see, even though home prices and the cost of living have risen everywhere, Columbus is no different, but it's still more affordable than most metropolitan areas across the United States that people are considering for relocation. If you live in a bigger state and you're watching this, I bet you're thinking, I can't believe how affordable Columbus actually is. That's one benefit of living here. A lot of people come to Columbus because of the affordability to raise a family, to start a business, whatever you want to do. Columbus is typically going to be more affordable than the bigger states you may have considered moving to.

Which Lifestyle Fits Your Budget: Downtown vs. Suburbs

Now I will say this: depending on where you live will also determine how expensive an area will be. If you want to live in the suburbs, that may be a little bit higher than if you live in Columbus proper. But if you live in the heart of downtown Columbus, where the nightlife is, where the sporting events are, where the hottest clubs and restaurants are, expect to spend more for a high-rise condo than you would for a two-bedroom home in the suburbs. It's obvious, really. It just depends on the lifestyle you want to live. You can make Columbus more affordable or not affordable depending on how you want to live.

The suburbs offer more space, often better school districts, and a quieter pace, but you'll pay for those perks. A good suburb with a good school district requires spending more than you might in other parts of the metro. On the flip side, downtown high-rise condos are more expensive than suburban homes, but you get walkability, access to COTA, and proximity to everything Columbus has to offer, sporting events, restaurants, nightlife. It's a trade-off, and neither choice is wrong. It's about what fits your budget and your daily life.

Conclusion

Columbus is very affordable in 2023, but it's only going to continue to get more expensive. The national averages show this clearly: Columbus is cheaper than most metros in housing, transportation, groceries, and healthcare, basically anything you can think of. But the economic growth and population influx mean prices are rising, and if you wait another five to ten years, Columbus may look a lot like the expensive markets people are trying to escape right now.

If you're considering moving here, give me a call at 614-719-9823. I would love to help you find a home here, or if you just have questions about the affordability of Columbus, I'm happy to walk you through it. Bang for your dollar, Columbus is way more affordable than many states you've considered moving to. It's a great place to live, and now is the time to make your move.