Phoenix - AZ vs Columbus - OH: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Phoenix - AZ is roughly 35% more expensive than Columbus - OH in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Phoenix - AZ (38 days vs 14), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Phoenix vs Columbus: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $2,443 a month in principal and interest in Phoenix and $1,811 in Columbus, a gap of $632 a month.

Typical rent runs $1,720 in Phoenix and $1,525 in Columbus, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.4 times rent in Phoenix and 1.2 times rent in Columbus, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 21.4 years of rent in Phoenix and 17.9 in Columbus; the lower ratio in Columbus means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved -4.5% in Phoenix and +2.6% in Columbus; over just the last three months the change was -0.4% in Phoenix and +0.4% in Columbus.

Homes sell for 97.9% of list price in Phoenix and 99.4% in Columbus, after 38 and 14 days on the market, with price cuts on 32% and 35% of listings. The signs are mixed: Phoenix has longer time on the market and sales further below list, while Columbus has more price cuts.

The number of homes for sale is up 2% on a year ago in Phoenix and up 9% on a year ago in Columbus.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.