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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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ColumbusvsSan Francisco

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Columbus to San Francisco will cost approximately $524,192 more on median home prices (146.1% higher). Monthly rent is $2,184 more expensive in San Francisco. Median income is 16.9% higher in San Francisco, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
146.1% more
Rent
146.1% more
View ColumbusView San Francisco
San Francisco

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Columbus, OH

Median Home Price$358,687
Monthly Rent$1,495
Median Income$70,904
Population849,067
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Destination

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$882,879+146.1%
Monthly Rent
$3,679+146.1%
Median Income
$82,922+16.9%
Population864,816
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Columbus

2015$895
2020$1,139
2025$1,495

San Francisco

2015$3,234
2020$2,856
2025$3,679

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in San Francisco.

Columbus

Housing$7,576
Food$5,391
Transport$12,694
Healthcare$9,136
Total$42,634

San Francisco

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$68,844
Costs

Key Insights

146.1%
Housing Cost
more expensive in San Francisco
$2,184
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
16.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Columbus

Population849,067
Median Age32.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate317 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1720 per 100k

San Francisco

Population864,816
Median Age38.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Columbus

317
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1720
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

San Francisco

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or Columbus?

Columbus is 146.1% cheaper for housing than San Francisco. The median home price in Columbus is $358,687 compared to $882,879 in San Francisco.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and San Francisco?

Monthly rent in San Francisco averages $3,679, while Columbus averages $1,495. That's a difference of $2,184 per month, or $26,210 annually.

How do incomes compare between Columbus and San Francisco?

The median household income in San Francisco is $82,922, which is 16.9% higher than Columbus's median of $70,904.

Which city is safer: Columbus or San Francisco?

Columbus has a violent crime rate of 317 per 100k residents, while San Francisco has 481 per 100k. Columbus is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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