Cost of Living Comparison Between Columbus, OH and Clifton, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Columbus, OH and Clifton, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,635 per month in Columbus, OH vs $3,009 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,906 per month in Columbus, OH vs $4,170 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,178 per month in Columbus, OH vs $5,331 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.

Columbus, OH is about 12% cheaper than Clifton, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Columbus, OH and Clifton, NJ sit above the global median – Columbus, OH by 97%, Clifton, NJ by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.09 $20.09

$20.23 $20.23

-0.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.9 $79.9

$100 $100

-20.49%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.81 $10.81

$12.11 $12.11

-10.73%

Cappuccino

$4.81 $4.81

$5.84 $5.84

-17.64%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.27 $2.27

14.54%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$1.63 $1.63

39.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.88 $5.88

$7.12 $7.12

-17.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.06 $7.06

$6.88 $6.88

2.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.36 $1.36

-38.97%

White Bread (500g)

$3.14 $3.14

$4.36 $4.36

-27.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.13 $4.13

$5.50 $5.50

-24.91%

Eggs

$3.28 $3.28

$6.46 $6.46

-49.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.89 $12.89

$13.12 $13.12

-1.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.15 $14.15

$10.20 $10.20

38.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.32 $16.32

$19.87 $19.87

-17.87%

Apples (1kg)

$5.93 $5.93

$5.81 $5.81

2.07%

Banana (1kg)

$1.29 $1.29

$2.42 $2.42

-46.69%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.70 $5.70

$4.33 $4.33

31.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.09 $5.09

$4.95 $4.95

2.83%

Potato (1kg)

$3.64 $3.64

$3.13 $3.13

16.29%

Onion (1kg)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.53 $2.53

17.79%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.27 $2.27

$2.85 $2.85

-20.35%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$2.58 $2.58

-20.16%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.47 $9.47

$17.29 $17.29

-45.23%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.75 $16.75

$15.17 $15.17

10.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.77 $1.77

12.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.59 $2.59

$3.83 $3.83

-32.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.73 $2.73

-24.91%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.0 $61.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.09 $3.09

$2.92 $2.92

5.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 $1.29

$2.22 $2.22

-41.89%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.48 $27.48

$41.26 $41.26

-33.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.96 $0.96

-9.37%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.5K $29.5K

$31.1K $31.1K

-5.33%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$25.7K $25.7K

-0.87%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$270 $270

$213 $213

26.75%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.2 $60.2

$53.5 $53.5

12.45%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.5 $68.5

$63.0 $63.0

8.72%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.93 $46.93

$20.73 $20.73

126.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.93 $39.93

Cinema Ticket

$12.08 $12.08

$19.67 $19.67

-38.59%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,214 $1,214

$1,727 $1,727

-29.68%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.5K $15.5K

$16.2K $16.2K

-3.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.3 $55.3

$49.75 $49.75

11.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.16 $39.16

$19.75 $19.75

98.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.6 $80.6

$89.5 $89.5

-9.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 $104

$169 $169

-38.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,601 $1,601

$1,697 $1,697

-5.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,215 $1,215

$1,663 $1,663

-26.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,953 $2,953

$2,653 $2,653

11.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,068 $2,068

$2,238 $2,238

-7.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,506 $3,506

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,764 $1,764

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,741 $3,741

$4,305 $4,305

-13.10%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.44

1.09%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Columbus, OH: July 12, 2026

Last update for Clifton, NJ: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,601 in Columbus, OH versus $1,697 in Clifton, NJ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 15% higher in Clifton, NJ, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80.0 in Columbus, OH versus $100 in Clifton, NJ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $413 vs $444 – making Columbus, OH the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Columbus, OH vs Clifton, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,635 in Columbus, OH, $3,009 in Clifton, NJ – roughly 14% apart. Clifton, NJ costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,952 per month in Columbus, OH and $4,514 in Clifton, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Columbus, OH, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,635 in Columbus, OH and $3,009 in Clifton, NJ. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,214 per month in Columbus, OH and $1,727 in Clifton, NJ. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,635 in Columbus, OH and $3,009 in Clifton, NJ. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Columbus, OH has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,635 in Columbus, OH to $3,009 in Clifton, NJ. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Columbus, OH. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Clifton, NJ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.