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Cost of living · head to head

Washington, DC is approximately 6% pricier than Philadelphia, PA, using Philadelphia, PA as the comparison base.

Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average. Figures represent the wider Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Philadelphia, PA
A salary of $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA has approximately the same purchasing power as $106,140 in Washington, DC, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Washington, DC is more expensive than Philadelphia, PA, so you’d need about $106,140 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in Philadelphia, PA — same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$6,100 more to cover the higher cost of living, not a real raise.
Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Where the difference lies

The headline gap is 6%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Washington, DC run 34% higher than in Philadelphia, PA (151.1 vs 113.1), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people, housing rents move the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.

Category comparison

CategoryPhiladelphia, PAWashington, DCDifference
Overall102.6108.9+6%
Goods96.8104.8+8%
Housing rents113.1151.1+34%
Utilities114.4106.7-7%
Other services103.1102.3-1%

Washington, DC differs from Philadelphia, PA the most in housing rents — about 34% higher in Washington, DC — while the closest is other services.

Estimated salary equivalent in Washington, DC

$50,000 in Philadelphia, PA$53,070
$75,000 in Philadelphia, PA$79,605
$100,000 in Philadelphia, PA$106,140
$150,000 in Philadelphia, PA$159,211
$200,000 in Philadelphia, PA$212,281

Each row shows the estimated salary equivalent in Washington, DC, based on regional price levels, for the amount earned in Philadelphia, PA.

Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Common questions

Is Washington, DC cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?

No — Washington, DC has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.9 versus 102.6 for Philadelphia, PA, making it about 6% more expensive.

What is the estimated salary equivalent for $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA if you moved to Washington, DC?

About $106,140, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Philadelphia, PA has approximately the same purchasing power as $106,140 in Washington, DC. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

Is housing cheaper in Washington, DC than in Philadelphia, PA?

Housing rents in Washington, DC score 151.1 versus 113.1 in Philadelphia, PA — about 34% more expensive. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

What is the cost of living difference between Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC?

Overall, Washington, DC is about 6% pricier than Philadelphia, PA (index 108.9 vs 102.6), with housing 34% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.