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 $2,562 per month in Columbus, OH vs $2,947 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,849 per month in Columbus, OH vs $4,110 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,135 per month in Columbus, OH vs $5,272 in Clifton, NJ, rent included.

Columbus, OH is about 13% cheaper than Clifton, NJ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Columbus, OH and Clifton, NJ sit above the global median – Columbus, OH by 91%, Clifton, NJ by 120%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$20.12 $20.12

1.14%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.5 $80.5

$101 $101

-20.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.98 $10.98

$11.89 $11.89

-7.65%

Cappuccino

$4.88 $4.88

$6.08 $6.08

-19.74%

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

$2.59 $2.59

$2.36 $2.36

9.75%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$1.60 $1.60

40.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.85 $5.85

$6.86 $6.86

-14.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.88 $6.88

$6.80 $6.80

1.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$1.30 $1.30

-30.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.03 $3.03

$4.34 $4.34

-30.18%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$5.77 $5.77

-28.94%

Eggs

$3.18 $3.18

$6.47 $6.47

-50.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.13 $13.13

$13.00 $13.00

1.00%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.81 $13.81

$10.25 $10.25

34.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.22 $16.22

$19.64 $19.64

-17.41%

Apples (1kg)

$5.97 $5.97

$5.59 $5.59

6.80%

Banana (1kg)

$1.30 $1.30

$2.51 $2.51

-48.21%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.54 $5.54

$4.34 $4.34

27.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.18 $5.18

$4.93 $4.93

5.07%

Potato (1kg)

$3.60 $3.60

$3.03 $3.03

18.81%

Onion (1kg)

$3.05 $3.05

$2.62 $2.62

16.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.77 $2.77

-17.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.58 $2.58

-17.44%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.34 $9.34

$17.26 $17.26

-45.89%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.70 $17.70

$15.14 $15.14

16.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 $2.00

$1.83 $1.83

9.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.81 $3.81

-32.55%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.69 $2.69

-26.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.2 $61.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.04 $3.04

$2.92 $2.92

4.11%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.28 $1.28

$2.22 $2.22

-42.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.23 $27.23

$42.68 $42.68

-36.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.95 $0.95

-14.74%

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

$30.2K $30.2K

$31.9K $31.9K

-5.23%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.8K $25.8K

1.75%

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

$270 $270

$211 $211

27.60%

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

$59.7 $59.7

$53.3 $53.3

11.87%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.0 $67.0

$62.9 $62.9

6.49%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.42 $45.42

$20.60 $20.60

120.49%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.26 $39.26

Cinema Ticket

$12.23 $12.23

$20.26 $20.26

-39.63%

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

$1,225 $1,225

$1,726 $1,726

-29.02%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K $15.1K

$16.0K $16.0K

-5.77%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.5 $55.5

$50.6 $50.6

9.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.48 $39.48

$20.09 $20.09

96.52%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.0 $81.0

$91.1 $91.1

-11.11%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$105 $105

$172 $172

-38.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,548 $1,548

$1,717 $1,717

-9.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,183 $1,183

$1,679 $1,679

-29.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,962 $2,962

$2,656 $2,656

11.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,095 $2,095

$2,183 $2,183

-4.02%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,455 $3,455

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,791 $1,791

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,750 $3,750

$4,242 $4,242

-11.61%

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: June 1, 2026

Last update for Clifton, NJ: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,548 in Columbus, OH versus $1,717 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 13% 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 $101 in Clifton, NJ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $413 vs $443 – 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: $2,562 in Columbus, OH, $2,947 in Clifton, NJ – roughly 15% apart. Clifton, NJ costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,844 per month in Columbus, OH and $4,420 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 $2,562 in Columbus, OH and $2,947 in Clifton, NJ. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,225 per month in Columbus, OH and $1,726 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 $2,562 in Columbus, OH and $2,947 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 $2,562 in Columbus, OH to $2,947 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.