✦ Cost of living
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
US = 100
Metro median gross rent: $1,456/mo · U.S. Census ACS 2023
In plain terms: Philadelphia is about 4% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,600/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing114+14%
- Food & groceries97−3%
- Transport103+3%
- Utilities99−1%
- Healthcare99−1%
- Goods & services99−1%
Is Philadelphia expensive?
Not really — Philadelphia indexes at 104 against a US average of 100, so a month here lands within a few percent of a typical US city. Expect the surprises in individual lines rather than in the total.
Of the 87 cities we track, Philadelphia ranks #35 by overall cost — 52 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Philadelphia costs
One person
$3,150/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$4,370/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$7,540/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,250 | $1,600 | $2,900 |
| Food & groceries | $450 | $650 | $1,090 |
| Transport | $620 | $910 | $1,520 |
| Utilities | $200 | $300 | $500 |
| Healthcare | $280 | $410 | $680 |
| Goods & services | $350 | $500 | $850 |
| Total per month | $3,150 | $4,370 | $7,540 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Philadelphia
History, cheesesteaks and East-Coast walkability at a discount to New York, an hour away.
- Currency
- US dollar ($ USD)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC-5
- Internet
- 200 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 45/100
- Climate
- ❄ 1°C · ☀ 26°C · 207 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 120V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Center City · Fishtown · University City
About
“Philly”
History, cheesesteaks and East-Coast walkability at a discount to New York, an hour away.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 39.95, -75.17
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Quality of life
65/100
Safety
45/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
45/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
+1 °C
Jul avg
+26 °C
Sunny days
207/yr
Walkability
79/100
Public transit
68/100
Family-friendly
60/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 50
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Private health insurance
- $450/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Philadelphia without a car?
75/100
Car-free score
79/100
Walkability
68/100
Public transport
Yes — Philadelphia scores 75/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Philadelphia indexes at 103 against a US average of 100 — about 3% more expensive than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Philadelphia ranks #34 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Philadelphia — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$1,600
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,250
- Inexpensive meal$18
- Monthly transit pass$96
- Utilities (monthly)$170
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Philadelphia, PA expensive to live in?
Philadelphia, PA's cost-of-living index is 104 (US average = 100) — about 4% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #35 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,150 a month and a family of four around $7,540, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Philadelphia, PA?
Philadelphia, PA's cost-of-living index is 104 (US average = 100) — about 4% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,600 per month.
What are the average living costs in Philadelphia, PA?
Living costs in Philadelphia, PA are about 4% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 104 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,600. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Philadelphia, PA?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,600 per month, and around $1,250 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Philadelphia, PA?
Philadelphia, PA averages around +1 °C in January and +26 °C in July, with roughly 207 sunny days a year.
Is Philadelphia, PA safe?
Philadelphia, PA scores 45 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Philadelphia, PA without a car?
Philadelphia, PA scores 75/100 on our car-free score — 79/100 for walkability and 68/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Philadelphia with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.