Median rent is 12% lower in Camden ($1,226/mo vs $1,397/mo). Buying is cheaper in Camden, where the median home runs $112,000 versus $243,100. Households earn more in Philadelphia ($61,953 vs $40,546 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (102.4).
City A
Camden, NJ
City B
Philadelphia, PA
How much would you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to maintain your standard of living from Camden, NJ?
Equivalent salary in Philadelphia, PA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Camden
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Camden at $1,226/mo compared to $1,397/mo in Philadelphia (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Philadelphia: the median home is $243,100 versus $112,000 in Camden — 54% more expensive.
Metric
Camden
Philadelphia
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Camden
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Philadelphia
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Philadelphia (avg AQI 54.0) but not yet for Camden.
Pick Philadelphia if you prioritize higher median household income ($61,953/yr).
Pick Camden if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,226/mo median).
Camden is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.4 versus 102.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Camden.
Median rent is $1,226/mo in Camden, NJ and $1,397/mo in Philadelphia, PA. Camden, NJ has the lower rent by about 12%.
Median household income is $40,546 in Camden, NJ and $61,953 in Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia, PA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Camden, NJ is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
