CostIndexUSA

New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
New York
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Philadelphia
102.6
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Philadelphia is moderately cheaper than New York — 8.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in New York, you would need $72,900 in Philadelphia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing23.9%
New York
148.6
Philadelphia
113.1
🛒 Groceries12.2%
New York
110.3
Philadelphia
96.8
🚗 Transportation2.6%
New York
111.1
Philadelphia
108.2
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
New York
100.5
Philadelphia
97.9
Utilities9.9%
New York
127
Philadelphia
114.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in New York to see what you'd need to earn in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Philadelphia, PA
$72,900
$7,100 less needed in Philadelphia

Formula: salary × (102.6 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9112. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

New York, NY

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Philadelphia, PA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
113.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

New York has 23.9% lower housing costs compared to Philadelphia.

Income & Job Market

New York, NY

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
8,336,817
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaReal EstateHealthcare

Philadelphia, PA

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
1,603,797
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTourismManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

New York, NY
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

Philadelphia, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.