Compare Two Database Columns in Queries with whereColumn()

Use whereColumn() to compare two database columns against each other directly in SQL without writing raw query expressions.

Standard where() clauses compare a database column against a static PHP value. When you need to verify that one table column is greater than, equal to, or different from another column in the same row, use whereColumn().

Basic Equality Check

use App\Models\User;

// Finds users whose first_name matches their last_name
$users = User::whereColumn('first_name', 'last_name')->get();

Comparison Operators

Pass an operator as the second argument to check for inequality, timestamps, or numerical thresholds:

use App\Models\Order;

// Orders updated after creation
$modifiedOrders = Order::whereColumn('updated_at', '>', 'created_at')->get();

// Invoices where paid amount is less than total amount
$pendingInvoices = Invoice::whereColumn('paid_amount', '<', 'total_amount')->get();

Comparing Multiple Column Pairs

Pass an array of column pairs to verify multiple conditions in a single call:

$records = Order::whereColumn([
    ['updated_at', '>', 'created_at'],
    ['discount_amount', '<', 'subtotal_amount'],
])->get();

Summary

• Formats queries as WHERE col1 = col2 instead of binding values with placeholders.
• Supports all standard SQL comparison operators (=, >, <, >=, <=, <>).
• Cleanly replaces raw whereRaw('updated_at > created_at') strings with type-safe builder syntax.