Cost of Living in Philadelphia
United States
Comfortable budget (single)
$3,605/month
Range $2,277–$3,605/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Philadelphia?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Philadelphia for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$5
flat white at cafe
Beer
$7
pint at pub
Lunch
$19
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$450
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$100
monthly pass
Gym
$48
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $1,708–$2,656 | ↑ +8% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $901–$1,423 | ↑ +8% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $71–$138 | ↑ +8% |
| Internet & Mobile | $28–$47 | ↑ +7% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $361–$541 | ↑ +8% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $47–$85 | ↑ +6% |
| Coffee | $4–$6 | ↑ +25% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $90–$109 | ↑ +8% |
| Gym membership | $33–$62 | ↑ +8% |
| Cinema ticket | $13–$17 | ↑ +7% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Philadelphia — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$1,708–$2,656/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$11,590
Buy outside (per m²)
$6,370
Price-to-rent ratio
20×
Avg mortgage rate
6.8%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Philadelphia center at ~$11,590/m² with a 25y loan at 6.8% would cost roughly $4,827/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Philadelphia. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $4,700 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $7,700 | ✅ Yes |
| Marketing manager | $5,500 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $4,300 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $6,000 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Philadelphia.
Utilize the SEPTA Key card for seamless travel on Philadelphia's buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail lines.
Explore the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) restaurant scene in neighborhoods like Passyunk Square to save significantly on dining out.
Shop for fresh produce and unique local goods at the Italian Market on 9th Street for an authentic Philadelphia experience and good value.
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,277–$3,605/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,656/mo
- Groceries: ~$541/mo
- Transport: ~$109/mo
Couple
$3,605–$5,503/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,656/mo
- Groceries: ~$541/mo
- Transport: ~$109/mo
Family
$5,218–$8,064/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,656/mo
- Groceries: ~$541/mo
- Transport: ~$109/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Philadelphia Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,135–$3,320/mo
Philadelphia Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,879–$2,922/mo
Philadelphia Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,366–$2,125/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • History
- • Value vs NYC
- • Universities
❌ Cons
- • Taxes
- • School variance
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Compare Philadelphia with another city
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.