CostIndexUSA

Philadelphia, PA vs Tucson, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Philadelphia
102.6
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Tucson
96.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Tucson is moderately cheaper than Philadelphia — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Philadelphia, you would need $75,600 in Tucson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.8%
Philadelphia
113.1
Tucson
91.8
🛒 Groceries0.6%
Philadelphia
96.8
Tucson
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.1%
Philadelphia
108.2
Tucson
104.8
🏥 Healthcare3.2%
Philadelphia
97.9
Tucson
94.8
Utilities21.8%
Philadelphia
114.4
Tucson
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$75,600
$4,400 less needed in Tucson

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 102.6) = salary × 0.9444. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Philadelphia, PA

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

Tucson, AZ

Median Home Price
$338,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
91.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Philadelphia has 18.8% lower housing costs compared to Tucson.

Income & Job Market

Philadelphia, PA

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

Tucson, AZ

Median Household Income
$69,800
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
542,629
Top Industries
MilitaryEducationHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Philadelphia, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Tucson, AZ
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.