CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs Columbus, OH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
OH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Champaign is slightly cheaper than Columbus — 3.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $82,400 in Columbus. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+22.8%
Champaign
71.6
Columbus
87.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Champaign
93.6
Columbus
93.6
🚗 Transportation0.7%
Champaign
104.6
Columbus
103.9
🏥 Healthcare0.6%
Champaign
94.6
Columbus
94
Utilities+5.5%
Champaign
90.5
Columbus
95.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Columbus, OH
$82,400
$2,400 more needed in Columbus

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.0302. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Columbus, OH

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

Columbus has 22.8% higher housing costs compared to Champaign.

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

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).

Champaign, IL
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.