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Cost of living · head to head

Philadelphia, PA is approximately 6% cheaper than Washington, DC, using Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Washington, DC
A salary of $100,000 in Washington, DC has approximately the same purchasing power as $94,215 in Philadelphia, PA, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Philadelphia, PA is cheaper than Washington, DC, so you’d only need about $94,215 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in Washington, DC — same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$5,800 less you’d need to earn, not a step down.
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 Philadelphia, PA run 25% lower than in Washington, DC (113.1 vs 151.1), 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

CategoryWashington, DCPhiladelphia, PADifference
Overall108.9102.6-6%
Goods104.896.8-8%
Housing rents151.1113.1-25%
Utilities106.7114.4+7%
Other services102.3103.1+1%

Philadelphia, PA differs from Washington, DC the most in housing rents — about 25% lower in Philadelphia, PA — while the closest is other services.

Estimated salary equivalent in Philadelphia, PA

$50,000 in Washington, DC$47,107
$75,000 in Washington, DC$70,661
$100,000 in Washington, DC$94,215
$150,000 in Washington, DC$141,322
$200,000 in Washington, DC$188,430

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

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 Philadelphia, PA cheaper than Washington, DC?

Yes — Philadelphia, PA has an overall cost-of-living index of 102.6 versus 108.9 for Washington, DC, making it about 6% cheaper.

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

About $94,215, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Washington, DC has approximately the same purchasing power as $94,215 in Philadelphia, PA. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

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

Housing rents in Philadelphia, PA score 113.1 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 25% cheaper. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

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

Overall, Philadelphia, PA is about 6% cheaper than Washington, DC (index 102.6 vs 108.9), with housing 25% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.