WhereCanIAffordFIRE by town › Columbus, OH

FIRE number for Columbus, OH

$1,097,150 retires you early in Columbus, OH — that's $43,886/yr to live × 25. At your $600,000 saved + $30,000/yr you reach it coast-fire.

The math (shown)

$333,537 home × 5%/yr owner-equivalent housing cost = $16,677/yr
housing ÷ 38% (housing is ~38% of a typical U.S. budget, BLS CEX) = $43,886/yr to live here
$43,886/yr spend ÷ 4% safe-withdrawal rule = $1,097,150 portfolio needed (the 25× rule)
$600,000 now + $30,000/yr at 5% real return reaches $1,097,150 in 8 years.
Coast-FIRE: $600,000 alone compounding 5% for 30 yrs = $2,593,165 by 65 — clears the $1,097,150 needed.

against Zillow ZHVI 2026-05 (Zillow ZHVI (typical home value, smoothed, all-homes 33–67pct tier)). FIRE math = the 4% rule (×25). Cost of living derived from home value — a planning estimate, not a household budget.

Run your own numbers for Columbus, OH

Portfolio: Saved/yr:

Open a brokerage account →Best FIRE books →

FAQ

How much do I need to FIRE in Columbus, OH?
About $1,097,150 ($43,886/yr × 25).
What's the cost of living based on?
Columbus, OH's typical home value ($333,537, Zillow ZHVI 2026-05) → owner-equivalent + non-housing budget.
Is the 4% rule safe?
It's the Trinity-study baseline; many FIRE planners use 3.5%–4%. Lower withdrawal = bigger number.

Compare: your take-home here vs elsewhere → · the best town for you → · FIRE in Indianapolis, IN · FIRE in Cleveland, OH

🏠 Where can I afford a house?
Your salary → every metro you can buy in.
🔥 FIRE by town
Your portfolio → which towns retire you today.
🧭 Best town for me
Budget + climate + politics → your ranked towns.
💵 Take-home comparison
Salary after tax + housing, city vs city.