Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Harrisburg, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 5.0% cheaper than Harrisburg, PA. This translates to saving $372 per month.

What salary do I need in Columbus, OH to live like I do in Harrisburg, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Harrisburg, PA, you'd need approximately $145,532.995 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Harrisburg, PA and Columbus, OH?

Housing in Columbus, OH is 18.1% cheaper than in Harrisburg, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $1,063/month in Harrisburg, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Harrisburg, PA to Columbus, OH?

Moving from Harrisburg, PA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $372 per month, or $4467 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Harrisburg, PA vs Columbus, OH: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Harrisburg, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Baltimore, MD area

Current salary in Harrisburg, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $372/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.5K in Columbus, OH

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 5.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$372

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Harrisburg, PA

Population:50K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$214K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:95

Median Home:$263K

Harrisburg, PA

The Keystone State

50K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 50K residents.

Columbus, OH

The Buckeye State

906K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Ohio, this city has a population of 906K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Harrisburg, PA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Harrisburg, PA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,507/mo	$2,053/mo	↓ $454less	18.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,233/mo	$1,366/mo	↑ $133more	10.8%
⚡All Utilities	$573/mo	$464/mo	↓ $109less	19.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$969/mo	↓ $60.22less	5.8%
🏥Healthcare	$556/mo	$607/mo	↑ $50.84more	9.1%
📦Other	$1,525/mo	$1,557/mo	↑ $31.36more	2.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 18.1%

Harrisburg, PA

$2,507

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$454

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 10.8%

Harrisburg, PA

$1,233

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$133

⚡All Utilities

↓ 19.0%

Harrisburg, PA

$573

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$109

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.8%

Harrisburg, PA

$1,029

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$60.22

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.1%

Harrisburg, PA

$556

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$50.84

📦Other

↑ 2.1%

Harrisburg, PA

$1,525

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$31.36

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg Earned Income Tax$4,350/yr (2.9%)

Columbus, OH: Columbus Municipal Income Tax$3,750/yr (2.5%)

Net difference-$600/yr

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$752

To$1,020

↑ $268

1 Bed

From$866

To$1,100

↑ $234

2 Bed

From$1,063

To$1,315

↑ $252

3 Bed

From$1,367

To$1,575

↑ $208

Harrisburg, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,020–$1,420/mo

Columbus, OHZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,790/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,425

Monthly in Harrisburg, PA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$408

Difference

Home Values

Harrisburg

Columbus

$214K

Median Value

$263K

↑ +2.4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +38.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$126K - $348K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 22% more expensive than Harrisburg

Calculate payment - Harrisburg Calculate payment - Columbus

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $178

Per year

Monthly Difference

$14.81

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.1%

Rate difference

Harrisburg, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

Columbus, OH

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Ohio State Tax

Effective: 3.0%

$4.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.6%

$41.4K

Take-Home Pay

$9,047/month

$108.6K

Additional Tax Information

Harrisburg, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

Columbus, OH Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:1.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.