CostIndexUSA

Columbus, OH vs Fremont, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Columbus is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 21.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $96,800 in Fremont. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+121.5%
Columbus
87.9
Fremont
194.7
🛒 Groceries+15.9%
Columbus
93.6
Fremont
108.5
🚗 Transportation+7.3%
Columbus
103.9
Fremont
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+7.3%
Columbus
94
Fremont
100.9
Utilities+80.7%
Columbus
95.5
Fremont
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fremont, CA
$96,800
$16,800 more needed in Fremont

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.2105. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, OH

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

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Fremont has 121.5% higher housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, OH

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

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Columbus, OH
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.