CostIndexUSA

Columbus, GA vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Columbus is significantly cheaper than Pasadena — 27.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $101,800 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+178.4%
Columbus
61.2
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+10.7%
Columbus
96.3
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+5.9%
Columbus
103.5
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.9%
Columbus
93.6
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+76.8%
Columbus
89.7
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$101,800
$21,800 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 89.3) = salary × 1.2721. 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×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 178.4% 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

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

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)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.