| Index | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | National |
| Cost of living | 102 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 99 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 101 | 100 |
The cost of living in Philadelphia affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Philadelphia is 102, which is 2% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Philadelphia is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 16 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Philadelphia. The results indicated that 44% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 56% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Wondering if Philadelphia is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Philadelphia, for example, the median home price is 7.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Philadelphia boasting a median household income of $72,881, which is 10.4% lower than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Philadelphia, the housing index stands at 1% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Philadelphia, the groceries index is 5.3% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Philadelphia, healthcare costs are 0.5% higher than the national average.
The Philadelphia cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $91,478 | $7,623 | $2,134 | $2,745 |
| Renters | $55,127 | $4,594 | $1,286 | $1,654 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pine Valley, NJ | 11 | 111 | 10.6% |
| Tavistock, NJ | 5 | 111 | 10.6% |
| Arcadia University, PA | 609 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Prospect Park CDP, PA | 233 | 79 | 21.0% |
| Audubon Park, NJ | 1,003 | 92 | 7.9% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,632,157 | 102 | 2.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,573,237 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,698,457 | 113 | 12.9% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,466,871 | 176 | 76.0% |
| Montréal, QC | 1,811,008 | n/a | |
| Dallas, TX | 1,391,819 | 107 | 7.0% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,632,157 | 102 | 2.0% |
Here are the best places to live in Pennsylvania
These are the largest cities in Pennsylvania
Most Dangerous States In The US
Most Dangerous Cities In The US