Columbus vs Philadelphia
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Columbus, OH and Philadelphia, PA.
Columbus, OH
COL Index
93
Monthly Budget
$4,650
State Tax
3.5%
Population
0.9M
Philadelphia, PA
COL Index
102
Monthly Budget
$5,100
State Tax
3.1%
Population
1.6M
Columbus is 10% less expensive than Philadelphia
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Columbus | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,477 | $1,700 | -$223 |
| Groceries | $614 | $660 | -$46 |
| Transport | $750 | $814 | -$64 |
| Healthcare | $380 | $406 | -$26 |
| Utilities | $279 | $306 | -$27 |
| Other | $1,133 | $1,219 | -$86 |
| Total | $4,650 | $5,100 | -$450 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Columbus (OH) | Philadelphia (PA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $2,045 | $3,070 | -$1,025 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $22,865 | $23,890 | -$1,025 |
| Take-Home Pay | $77,135 | $76,110 | +$1,025 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Columbus salary is worth in Philadelphia (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Columbus Salary | Equivalent in Philadelphia | Philadelphia Salary | Equivalent in Columbus |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $54,839 | $50,000 | $45,588 |
| $75,000 | $82,258 | $75,000 | $68,382 |
| $100,000 | $109,677 | $100,000 | $91,176 |
| $150,000 | $164,516 | $150,000 | $136,765 |