CostIndexUSA

Columbus, OH vs San Bernardino, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
CA
San Bernardino
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent

Columbus is moderately cheaper than San Bernardino — 11.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $89,100 in San Bernardino. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+47.1%
Columbus
87.9
San Bernardino
129.3
🛒 Groceries+8.3%
Columbus
93.6
San Bernardino
101.4
🚗 Transportation+2.3%
Columbus
103.9
San Bernardino
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Columbus
94
San Bernardino
96.2
Utilities+55.6%
Columbus
95.5
San Bernardino
148.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Bernardino, CA
$89,100
$9,100 more needed in San Bernardino

Formula: salary × (106.4 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.1141. 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×

San Bernardino, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

San Bernardino has 47.1% 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

San Bernardino, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
222,101
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsGovernmentRetailManufacturing

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)

San Bernardino, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.