Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Philadelphia is approximately 6% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,382/mo in Philadelphia versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Philadelphia is $268 (24%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Philadelphia is $318 (27%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Philadelphia is $357 (25%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Philadelphia is $430 (25%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Columbus is $13,097 (22%) higher than Philadelphia

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Columbus is $2,810 (7%) higher than Philadelphia

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Columbus is $5,186 (14%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Columbus vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Columbus is $33,300 (14%) higher than Philadelphia

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Columbus is $2,158 (111%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Columbus vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Philadelphia is $12 (9%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Columbus is $1 (2%) higher than Philadelphia

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Philadelphia is $132 (6%) higher than Columbus

Healthcare in Columbus vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Philadelphia are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Philadelphia are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Columbus is 1.2% (17%) higher than Philadelphia

Taxes in Columbus vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Columbus is 0.4% (14%) higher than Philadelphia

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Philadelphia is 0.3% (4%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Columbus is 0.9% (14%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Columbus vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 10.2 min (47%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Columbus is 23.8% (51%) higher than Philadelphia

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 16.2% (953%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Philadelphia is $204 (6%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Philadelphia is $21 (0%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Philadelphia is $95 (1%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Philadelphia.

Is Columbus or Philadelphia more expensive?

Philadelphia is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 6%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is approximately $318 (27%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Philadelphia?

Columbus has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Columbus and Philadelphia

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Columbus profile Philadelphia profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.