Columbus, Ohio
In Columbus, Ohio, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.78 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.29 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,484, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Columbus's cost-of-living index of 85 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.78
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,484
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$12.50
Combo meal
Electricity
17.59¢
per kWh · ~$158/mo
Car Insurance
$132/mo
$1,580/yr
Median Household Income
$73,795
33.4% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,580 in Columbus. Compare rates:
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Avg rent $1,484/mo in Columbus. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
$2.49 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER)
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
$3.39 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER)
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
$1.99 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER)
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
$4.89 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER)
Butter (lb)
$5.18 BLS avg
$6.99 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER)
Bacon (lb)
$7.56 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.60 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.95 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.37 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$10.85 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.05 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.58 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.10 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.63 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.21 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.48 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.47 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.95 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.18 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility$2.49 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon)$3.39 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf)$1.99 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb)$4.89 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb)$6.99 @ Kroger - Short North Kroger 587 (KROGER) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.99 | $5.18 | +29.8% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.29 | $7.56 | +20.2% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.67 | $6.60 | +16.4% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.41 | $1.95 | +38.3% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.11 | $5.37 | +30.7% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.75 | $10.85 | +40.0% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.61 | $5.05 | +39.9% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.84 | $4.58 | +19.3% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.36 | $5.10 | +17.0% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.11 | $2.63 | +24.6% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.66 | $2.21 | +33.1% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.27 | $7.48 | +41.9% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.95 | $4.47 | +13.2% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.38 | $5.95 | +35.8% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $5.89 | $8.18 | +38.9% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$12.50
Casual Dining
$19.16
Monthly Spend
$318.87
+4.61% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $6.39
$10.31
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $7.22
$11.13
+54.2%Chipotle
2022: $7.73
$11.55
+49.4%Starbucks
2022: $3.67
$5.10
+39.0%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Columbus?
Average 1BR: $1,217/mo · 2BR: $1,751/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
780k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,407
$73k/yr
Top Sector
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Household vs Worker Pay
$74k
household median
Employment by Sector — Columbus
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$64k/yr
~$60k/yr
~$92k/yr
~$30k/yr
~$101k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 39049
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$1,950/wk · $101k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$583/wk · $30k/yr
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