salaryPhiladelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania that we track, with 1,582,432 residents. Rent is higher than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 32 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $63,800 a year. That is $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 212 of 271 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Philadelphia with other big cities
Compare Philadelphia to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Philadelphia?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Philadelphia
| Size | Philadelphia | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,126 | $1,185 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,189 | $1,180 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,394 | $1,338 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,406 | $1,500 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,546 | $1,861 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Philadelphia overall?
Everyday prices in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 102.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Philadelphia
Life in Philadelphia
What jobs pay in Philadelphia
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $148,030 | 12.9% |
| Pharmacist | $137,960 | 13.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,590 | 14.5% |
| Software Developer | $130,670 | 14.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,240 | 14.7% |
| Operations Manager | $111,490 | 17.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,760 | 18.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,970 | 19.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $99,210 | 19.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,630 | 19.8% |
| Police Officer | $90,640 | 21.1% |
| Accountant | $84,080 | 22.8% |
| Firefighter | $78,980 | 24.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $76,950 | 24.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $74,480 | 25.7% |
| Electrician | $74,040 | 25.9% |
| Plumber | $72,580 | 26.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $67,150 | 28.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,830 | 30.5% |
| Carpenter | $62,350 | 30.7% |
| Truck Driver | $60,000 | 31.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,830 | 41.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,280 | 42.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,000 | 44.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,300 | 45.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,040 | 51.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,900 | 53.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,630 | 56.9% |
| Cashier | $31,470 | 60.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Philadelphia?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $18 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $232,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,240 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Philadelphia, PA?
People who moved into a rental in Philadelphia since 2021 pay a median of $1,595 a month, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,225.
How much do I need to make to live in Philadelphia?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $63,800 a year, or $31 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Philadelphia cheap or expensive?
Philadelphia is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.5% of the typical household income of $60,698. It ranks 212th cheapest of 271 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Philadelphia?
The median homeowner in Philadelphia pays $1,952 a year in property taxes, about 0.84% of the median home value.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Philadelphia?
The median home value in Philadelphia is $232,400, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
1,582,432 people live in Philadelphia. Numbers are typical (middle) values.