2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbus, IN vs Washington, DC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Washington or is it cheaper to live in Columbus?
- Washington is 82.8% more expensive than Columbus.

Which city has more affordable housing, Washington or Columbus?
- Washington housing costs are 228.8% more expensive than Columbus housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbus or is Health Care more affordable in Washington.
- Health related expenses are 1.7% more in Washington.
 Columbus, INWashington, DCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries94.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock95.5100
 Housing70.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$644,900$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock135.3100
 Miscellaneous102.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Columbus    16 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I grew up in Columbus Indiana and returned 38 years later after retiring. Columbus has always been a unique place to live and well above average for Indiana. However,  More

   |    Reply

Columbus is a beautiful town for young families or up and coming professionals. It has great restaurants, parks, architecture, and diverse recreation.   More

   |    Reply

Columbus is a friendly town that is welcoming to people from all backgrounds. It provides lots of amenities for young families with very close proximity to big cities  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbus

Reviews for Washington    97 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Living in DC long term brings on a kind of insidious misery. A long, slow, simmering down of any natural optimism or desire for a better future. It’s a leach of a town  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Parts are beautiful but alot is rundown and ghetto. They always show the monuments and upper nw neighborhoods but never show hoods across the Anacostia River. Crime is  More

   |    Reply

Moved to DC 40 years ago from Mpls-St. Paul. DC is an amazing town. Downside is people are very competitive, everything is expensive. Great restaurants, foodie heaven  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Washington


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.