Is Columbus, OH cheaper than Scranton, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Columbus, OH is 4.9% cheaper than Scranton, PA. This translates to saving $370 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Scranton, PA, you'd need approximately $145,555.367 in Columbus, OH to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Columbus, OH is 15.1% more expensive than in Scranton, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Columbus, OH compared to $954/month in Scranton, PA.

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

Moving from Scranton, PA to Columbus, OH could save you approximately $370 per month, or $4445 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Scranton, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Scranton, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $370/month moving to Columbus, OH

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.6K in Columbus, OH

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

Overall Cost

↓ 4.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$370

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.4K

Per year

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

Scranton, PA

Population:76K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$192K

Columbus, OH

Population:906K

Cost Index:95

Median Home:$263K

Scranton, PA

The Keystone State

76K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 76K 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: Scranton, PA vs Columbus, OH

Category	Scranton, PA	Columbus, OH	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,784/mo	$2,053/mo	↑ $269more	15.1%
📦Other	$1,776/mo	$1,557/mo	↓ $219less	12.3%
⚡All Utilities	$558/mo	$464/mo	↓ $93.19less	16.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$969/mo	↓ $59.87less	5.8%
🏥Healthcare	$644/mo	$607/mo	↓ $36.72less	5.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,401/mo	$1,366/mo	↓ $35.04less	2.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 15.1%

Scranton, PA

$1,784

Columbus, OH

$2,053

Difference

$269

📦Other

↓ 12.3%

Scranton, PA

$1,776

Columbus, OH

$1,557

Difference

$219

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 16.7%

Scranton, PA

$558

Columbus, OH

$464

Difference

$93.19

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.8%

Scranton, PA

$1,029

Columbus, OH

$969

Difference

$59.87

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 5.7%

Scranton, PA

$644

Columbus, OH

$607

Difference

$36.72

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.5%

Scranton, PA

$1,401

Columbus, OH

$1,366

Difference

$35.04

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Scranton, PA: Scranton Earned Income Tax$5,100/yr (3.4%)

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

Net difference-$1,350/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$659

To$1,020

↑ $361

1 Bed

From$782

To$1,100

↑ $318

2 Bed

From$954

To$1,315

↑ $361

3 Bed

From$1,241

To$1,575

↑ $334

Scranton, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,090/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.

$7,191

Monthly in Scranton, PA

$7,017

Monthly in Columbus, OH

$174

Difference

Home Values

Scranton

Columbus

$192K

Median Value

$263K

↑ +5.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +59.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +28.8%

$165K - $208K

Price Range

$95K - $406K

Homes in Columbus are 37% more expensive than Scranton

Calculate payment - Scranton 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

Scranton, 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

Scranton, 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.