Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Columbus and Tucson have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Ohio salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Columbus has a housing index of 82 while Tucson sits at 83 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbus costs $240,000 compared to $265,000 in Tucson, a difference of $25,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Columbus versus $1,100 in Tucson.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbus scores 99 while Tucson scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbus (96) are higher than Tucson (93). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbus is $56,590 compared to $43,425 in Tucson. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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