Cost of living · head to head
Philadelphia, PA is 10% cheaper than Miami, FL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Miami, FLoverall index
114.2
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Try your own salary
in Miami, FL
To live the same in Philadelphia, PA, you’d need about $89,842.
That’s about $10,158 less — Philadelphia, PA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 10%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Philadelphia, PA runs 27% lower than in Miami, FL (113.1 vs 155.6), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Philadelphia, PA
| $50,000 in Miami, FL | $44,921 |
| $75,000 in Miami, FL | $67,382 |
| $100,000 in Miami, FL | $89,842 |
| $150,000 in Miami, FL | $134,764 |
| $200,000 in Miami, FL | $179,685 |
Each row shows the salary in Philadelphia, PA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Miami, FL.
Miami, FL · housing
155.6
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Common questions
Is Philadelphia, PA cheaper than Miami, FL?
Yes — Philadelphia, PA has an overall cost-of-living index of 102.6 versus 114.2 for Miami, FL, making it about 10% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to match $100,000 in Miami, FL?
About $89,842. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Miami, FL costs roughly $89,842 in Philadelphia, PA.
Is housing cheaper in Philadelphia, PA than in Miami, FL?
Housing in Philadelphia, PA scores 113.1 versus 155.6 in Miami, FL — about 27% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Miami, FL and Philadelphia, PA?
Overall, Philadelphia, PA is about 10% cheaper than Miami, FL (index 102.6 vs 114.2), with housing 27% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.