Key factors that impact the cost of your Columbus to Philadelphia move
What to know before moving from Columbus to Philadelphia
Moving from Columbus to Philadelphia comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Philadelphia is generally more expensive than Columbus, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Columbus | Philadelphia | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,100 | $1,695 |
Average home value | $157,861 | $216,914 |
Average income (per capita) | $50,542 | $70,746 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,041 | $2,541 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,834 | $6,190 |
Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 10.6% |
Sales tax | 9.0% | 8.0% |
State income tax | 5.49% | 3.07% |
- Rent prices in Philadelphia are 54% higher than in Columbus, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Columbus.
Home prices in Philadelphia are 37.4% higher than in Columbus. - Income in Philadelphia is 40.0% higher than in Columbus, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Philadelphia, since the cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 24.5% higher than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Philadelphia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 61.5% higher than in Columbus.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 100.00% higher than in Columbus.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Philadelphia, since the cityโs sales taxes in Philadelphia are 11.11% lower than in Columbus.
- One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 44.08% lower than in Columbus.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,734.93 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Philadelphia
Philadelphia | Columbus | |
---|---|---|
Population | 1,603,797 | 206,922 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 2 |
Walkability score | 75 | 25 |
Bike friendliness score | 67 | 31 |
Crime Index | 66.09 | 72.18 |
Safety Index | 33.91 | 27.82 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Philadelphia is about 675% greater than Columbus, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Philadelphia offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 2 in Columbus. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Philadelphia means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbus. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 25 out of 100 in Columbus. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Philadelphia is considered more bike-friendly than Columbus in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, while Columbus is rated as 31 out of 100.
- Philadelphia has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 66.09 and Columbus's 72.18, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Philadelphia than in Columbus, based on Philadelphiaโs safety index of 33.91 versus 27.82 for Columbus. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Philadelphia and Columbus is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Columbus vs. Philadelphia move
- Weather: Philadelphia has hot and muggy summers and the fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is moderately cold. If you are planning a summer move make sure to check the weather to avoid overall humid and hot days,
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUCโs website is no longer functioning. So if youโre moving within Pennsylvania, youโll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Pennsylvania does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Philadelphia. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Philadelphia
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Philly", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cedar Park
- Fishtown
- Manayunk
- Point Breeze
- Washington Square West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bella Vista
- Bustleton
- Chestnut Hill
- Foxchase
- Roxborough
Things to do in Philadelphia
After settling into your new Pennsylvania home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Philadelphia has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Philadelphia is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, Museum of the American Revolution, and The Franklin Institute.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), or Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Philadelphia?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Columbus to Philadelphia are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Columbus are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Philadelphia?
With many people choosing to move from Columbus to Philadelphia in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Columbus to Philadelphia take?
Moving from Columbus, GA to Philadelphia, PA covers 886 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Columbus movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Philadelphia.