CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Columbus, OH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
OH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Abilene is moderately cheaper than Columbus — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $84,500 in Columbus. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+19.1%
Abilene
73.8
Columbus
87.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Abilene
93.8
Columbus
93.6
🚗 Transportation+2.8%
Abilene
101.1
Columbus
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+2.8%
Abilene
91.4
Columbus
94
Utilities+17.6%
Abilene
81.2
Columbus
95.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Columbus to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Columbus, OH
$84,500
$4,500 more needed in Columbus

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.0564. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Columbus, OH

Median Home Price
$317,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
87.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Columbus has 19.1% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Columbus, OH

Median Household Income
$77,400
Per Capita Income
$44,100
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
905,748
Top Industries
FinanceRetailHealthcareEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Columbus, OH
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.