CostIndexUSA

Columbus, GA vs New York, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
NY
New York
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Columbus is significantly cheaper than New York — 26.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $100,900 in New York. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+142.8%
Columbus
61.2
New York
148.6
🛒 Groceries+14.5%
Columbus
96.3
New York
110.3
🚗 Transportation+7.3%
Columbus
103.5
New York
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+7.4%
Columbus
93.6
New York
100.5
Utilities+41.6%
Columbus
89.7
New York
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$100,900
$20,900 more needed in New York

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 89.3) = salary × 1.2609. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

New York, NY

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

New York has 142.8% higher housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

New York, NY

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
8,336,817
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaReal EstateHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

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

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

New York, NY
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.