Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has an overall cost of living index of 102.4, which is 2.4 points above the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,397 per month, while the typical home is valued around $243,100. Households earn a median of $61,953 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 54. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$61,953
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,397
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$243,100
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
102.4
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
102.4
Goods
98.2
Rents / Housing
117.8
Services
119.4
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $131,820 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $97,510 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $73,980 |
| ⚡Electrician | $79,320 |
| 📊Accountant | $96,390 |
| 🔧Plumber | $80,560 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $216,280 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $104,220 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $138,870 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $84,060 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $135,550 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $61,770 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $139,310 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
1,579,706
Latest estimate
Median Age
35.3 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
54.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,197
Per month
Avg Home Value
$140,660
Census ACS
January Avg
34°F
July Avg
79°F
Sunny Days / Year
248
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.3
poor
Hospitals
21
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
92.9%
What is the cost of living index for Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 102.4. The US national average is 100, so Philadelphia is 2.4 points above the national average.
What is the median rent in Philadelphia?
The median gross rent in Philadelphia is $1,397 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Philadelphia?
The median household income in Philadelphia is $61,953 per year.
What is the median home value in Philadelphia?
The median home value in Philadelphia is $243,100 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 54.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Philadelphia?
Tax data for Pennsylvania is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
