Cost of living · head to head
Philadelphia, PA is 6% cheaper than Washington, DC.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
Try your own salary
in Washington, DC
To live the same in Philadelphia, PA, you’d need about $94,215.
That’s about $5,785 less — Philadelphia, PA is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 6%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Philadelphia, PA runs 25% lower than in Washington, DC (113.1 vs 151.1), 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 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 salary in Philadelphia, PA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
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.
How much do you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to match $100,000 in Washington, DC?
About $94,215. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Washington, DC costs roughly $94,215 in Philadelphia, PA.
Is housing cheaper in Philadelphia, PA than in Washington, DC?
Housing in Philadelphia, PA scores 113.1 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 25% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
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.