Cost of living · head to head
Philadelphia, PA is 9% cheaper than New York, NY.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Try your own salary
in New York, NY
To live the same in Philadelphia, PA, you’d need about $91,119.
That’s about $8,881 less — Philadelphia, PA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 9%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Philadelphia, PA runs 24% lower than in New York, NY (113.1 vs 148.6), 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 New York, NY | $45,560 |
| $75,000 in New York, NY | $68,339 |
| $100,000 in New York, NY | $91,119 |
| $150,000 in New York, NY | $136,679 |
| $200,000 in New York, NY | $182,238 |
Each row shows the salary in Philadelphia, PA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in New York, NY.
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Common questions
Is Philadelphia, PA cheaper than New York, NY?
Yes — Philadelphia, PA has an overall cost-of-living index of 102.6 versus 112.6 for New York, NY, making it about 9% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to match $100,000 in New York, NY?
About $91,119. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in New York, NY costs roughly $91,119 in Philadelphia, PA.
Is housing cheaper in Philadelphia, PA than in New York, NY?
Housing in Philadelphia, PA scores 113.1 versus 148.6 in New York, NY — about 24% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA?
Overall, Philadelphia, PA is about 9% cheaper than New York, NY (index 102.6 vs 112.6), with housing 24% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.