Cost of living in Philadelphia, PA
Livability score 61 · cost-of-living index 102.4 (US = 100)
How Philadelphia compares
Where Philadelphia falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Map of Philadelphia
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Cost of living
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 102.4 | metro-area | #154 of 200 |
| Grocery index (US=100) | 98.2 | metro-area | #136 of 200 |
| Big Mac price (est.) | $5.82 | metro-area | #154 of 200 |
| Median household income | $85,555 | metro-area | #39 of 200 |
| Median wage (all occupations) | $48,344 | metro-area | #16 of 200 |
Who lives here
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1 years | metro-area | #111 of 200 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) | 41.4% | metro-area | #27 of 200 |
| Foreign-born residents | 11.5% | metro-area | #65 of 200 |
| Homes that are owner-occupied | 67.0% | metro-area | #91 of 200 |
Economy
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 6.12% | metro-area | #163 of 200 |
| Population growth (5-yr) | +2.8% | metro-area | #130 of 200 |
Housing — what your money buys
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $390,463 | metro-area | #132 of 200 |
| Home price ÷ income (affordability) | 4.6× | metro-area | #90 of 200 |
| 1-yr home appreciation | +2.5% | metro-area | #72 of 200 |
| Price per square foot | $223 | metro-area | #139 of 200 |
| Typical home size (implied) | 1,750 sqft | ||
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,914 | metro-area | #148 of 200 |
| Homes for sale (inventory) | 15,288 | ||
| Median days on market | 9 | metro-area | #43 of 200 |
Taxes
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total tax burden (est. % of income) | 10.6% | state | #115 of 200 |
| Combined sales tax | 6.34% | state | #32 of 200 |
| State income tax (top rate) | 3.07% | ||
| Capital gains tax | 3.07% | state | #53 of 200 |
| High earners | No special surtax | ||
| Social Security in retirement | Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits | ||
| Effective property tax rate | 1.61% | metro-area | #160 of 200 |
| Median property tax paid | $4,903 | metro-area | #175 of 200 |
Health & childcare
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 77.3 years | metro-area | #77 of 200 |
| Healthcare (annual, single adult) | $7,000 | state | #129 of 200 |
| Uninsured (share of residents) | 6.1% | metro-area | #38 of 200 |
| Primary care providers per 100k | 86 | metro-area | #50 of 200 |
| Childcare (annual, infant, center) | $12,000 | state | #110 of 200 |
Vehicles & commute
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual registration | $65 | state | #29 of 200 |
| Vehicle property tax (annual) | None | state | #1 of 200 |
| Emissions testing | Required | ||
| Emissions detail | Required in major metro counties | ||
| DMV & license offices | 21 | ||
| Avg commute to work | 29 min | metro-area | #177 of 200 |
| Commute by driving alone | 64.1% | metro-area | #16 of 200 |
| Solo drivers commuting 30+ min | 44.6% | metro-area | #184 of 200 |
Utilities & fuel
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 21.5¢/kWh | state | #147 of 200 |
| Avg monthly electric bill | $193 | state | #141 of 200 |
| Gasoline | $3.55/gal | state | #150 of 200 |
| Natural gas (avg monthly bill) | $82 | state | #167 of 200 |
| Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) | $65 | state | #14 of 200 |
| Home internet (avg monthly bill) | $78 | state | #77 of 200 |
Insurance
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home insurance (annual) | $1,200 | state | #8 of 200 |
| Auto insurance (annual) | $1,600 | state | #51 of 200 |
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main natural hazards | Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient. | ||
| FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) | 94.5 — Relatively High | metro-area | #138 of 200 |
| Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) | $650 | state | #41 of 200 |
| Earthquake insurance (annual) | $100 | state | #1 of 200 |
Climate & air quality
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) | 53 | metro-area | #157 of 200 |
| Cooling degree-days (AC load) | 800 | metro-area | #49 of 200 |
| Homes with air conditioning (state) | 91% | state | #115 of 200 |
| Heating degree-days (heat load) | 5,700 | metro-area | #141 of 200 |
| Days per year ≥ 90°F | 23 | metro-area | #92 of 200 |
| Days per year ≥ 100°F | 0 | metro-area | #5 of 200 |
| Avg summer high (state) | 85°F | metro-area | #59 of 200 |
| Avg winter low | 22°F | metro-area | #130 of 200 |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | metro-area | #116 of 200 |
| Annual snowfall | 23.1" | metro-area | #127 of 200 |
| Sunshine (% of possible) | 56% | metro-area | #132 of 200 |
| Plant hardiness zone | 6b | ||
| Frost window | 04-20 → 10-20 |
Safety
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) | 390 | state | #91 of 200 |
| Property crime (per 100k, state avg) | 1,400 | state | #11 of 200 |
Local amenities & recreation
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery stores | 81 | metro-area | #95 of 200 |
| Parks | 77 | ||
| Hiking areas | 38 | ||
| Golf courses | 24 | ||
| Shooting ranges | 14 | ||
| Lakes | 12 |
Permits
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permit difficulty (1–5) | 3 | state | #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.
Top employers in Philadelphia
Major public and private employers in the Philadelphia, PA area.
Salaries by occupation in Philadelphia
Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
| Occupation | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Dentists | $165,980 |
| Financial Managers | $163,750 |
| Marketing Managers | $142,330 |
| Human Resources Managers | $139,430 |
| Lawyers | $137,350 |
| Pharmacists | $136,890 |
| Physician Assistants | $133,020 |
| Software Developers | $127,150 |
| Construction Managers | $121,000 |
| General & Operations Managers | $110,720 |
| Data Scientists | $106,760 |
| Physical Therapists | $104,670 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $104,520 |
| Web Developers | $96,900 |
| Registered Nurses | $96,710 |
| Civil Engineers | $96,240 |
| Dental Hygienists | $94,060 |
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,390 |
| Accountants & Auditors | $81,060 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $79,290 |
| Electricians | $72,660 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters | $68,660 |
| Graphic Designers | $59,640 |
| Carpenters | $58,910 |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,990 |
| Welders, Cutters & Solderers | $54,080 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | $47,370 |
| Medical Assistants | $44,700 |
Find a job in Philadelphia
Cities in the Philadelphia area
Philadelphia (1,593,208) →Camden (71,799) →Levittown (51,152) →Sicklerville (45,853) →Norristown (35,712) →Chester (33,048) →Drexel Hill (29,231) →King of Prussia (24,423) →Pottstown (23,356) →Glassboro (23,014) →Lindenwold (21,337) →West Chester (19,016) →Lansdale (18,727) →Phoenixville (18,723) →Elkton (15,830) →Horsham (15,683) →Springdale (15,247) →Williamstown (14,770) →Moorestown-Lenola (14,379) →Westmont (14,138) →Collingswood (14,135) →Ardmore (14,075) →Willow Grove (13,759) →Echelon (13,553) →Coatesville (13,316) →Cherry Hill Mall (13,070) →Montgomeryville (13,008) →Haddonfield (12,456) →Pennsville (12,256) →Yeadon (12,017) →Bellmawr (11,677) →Gloucester City (11,435) →Lansdowne (11,051) →Greentree (11,016) →Pine Hill (10,698) →Darby (10,682) →Broomall (10,663) →Marlton (10,403) →Woodlyn (10,347) →Browns Mills (10,060) →Roslyn (10,011) →
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