City vs city
Columbus, OH vs Seattle, WA
- Rent is 57% lower in Columbus (median $1,295/mo vs $2,030/mo in Seattle).
- Homes cost 271% less in Columbus ($253k vs $939k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $628 more a month after taxes and rent in Columbus.
- Seattle has no state income tax on wages; Columbus does.
- Schools rate higher in Seattle (8.6/10 vs 1.3/10).
- Columbus has less violent crime (3.8 vs 7.1 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Seattle has milder winters (42°F vs 30°F average).
- Columbus gets more sun (170 vs 152 sunny days a year).
| Columbus | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,295/mo | $2,030/mo |
| Median home value | $253k | $939k |
| Median household income | $66k | $124k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,731 | $3,103 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 1.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Violent crime | about the US rate | 2.0× the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 77°F |
| Winter average | 30°F | 42°F |
| Sunny days a year | 170 | 152 |
| Walk score | 40 | 74 |
| Population | 914,802 | 754,195 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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