Cost of Living: Columbus vs Philadelphia (2026)

Columbus vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 7% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $107,421 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 7% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $107,421 in Philadelphia.

Columbus vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricColumbusPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)95103+7%
Median rent$1,224$1,323+8%
Median home value$234,500$232,400-1%
Median household income$65,327$60,698-7%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Columbus has the same buying power as about $107,421 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $93,091 in Columbus.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Columbus and Philadelphia.

Compare any salary: Columbus vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 95 — a 7% difference. Your money goes further in Columbus.

About $107,421 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbus.