Cost of living in Philadelphia, PA Livability score 62 · cost-of-living index 102.4 (US = 100)
How Philadelphia compares Where Philadelphia falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 102 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 102 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $390k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $390k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $223 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $223 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 6.3% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 6.3% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.61% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.61% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 390 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 390 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 21.5 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 21.5 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 85° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 85° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 22° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 22° Map of Philadelphia Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
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Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 102.4 #154 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 98.2 #136 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.82 #154 of 200 Median household income $85,555 #39 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $48,344 #16 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 6.12% #163 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +2.8% #130 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $390,463 #132 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.6× #90 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +2.5% #72 of 200 Price per square foot $223 #139 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,750 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,914 #148 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 15,288 Median days on market 9 #43 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 10.6% #115 of 200 Combined sales tax 6.34% #32 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 3.07% Capital gains tax 3.07% #53 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.61% #160 of 200 Median property tax paid $4,903 #175 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $7,000 #129 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $12,000 #110 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $65 #29 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None #1 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 21 Avg commute to work 29 min #177 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 21.5¢/kWh #147 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $193 #141 of 200 Gasoline $3.55/gal #150 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,200 #8 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,600 #51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $650 #41 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 53 #157 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 800 #49 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 5,700 #141 of 200 Avg summer high 85°F #59 of 200 Avg winter low 22°F #130 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6b Frost window 04-20 → 10-20
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 390 #91 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 1,400 #11 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 81 #95 of 200 Parks 77 Hiking areas 38 Golf courses 24 Shooting ranges 14 Lakes 12
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 3 #87 of 200 Permit detail Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.