Median rent is 10% lower in Wilmington ($1,187/mo vs $1,323/mo). Buying is cheaper in Wilmington, where the median home runs $224,500 versus $232,400. Households earn more in Philadelphia ($60,698 vs $55,269 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (100.7).
City A
Philadelphia, PA
City B
Wilmington, DE
How much would you need to earn in Wilmington, DE to maintain your standard of living from Philadelphia, PA?
Equivalent salary in Wilmington, DE
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Wilmington
Delaware
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Wilmington at $1,187/mo compared to $1,323/mo in Philadelphia (10% gap). Median home values are within 3% of each other: $232,400 in Philadelphia and $224,500 in Wilmington.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Pennsylvania's top income tax rate is 3.07% versus 6.60% in Delaware, so Philadelphia is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Pennsylvania and 0.00% in Delaware; Wilmington has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Philadelphia
Income tax: 3.07%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Wilmington
Income tax: 6.60%
Sales tax: None
Air quality data is available for Philadelphia (avg AQI 58.0) but not yet for Wilmington.
Pick Philadelphia if you prioritize higher median household income ($60,698/yr).
Pick Philadelphia if you prioritize lower state income tax (3.07%).
Is Philadelphia cheaper than Wilmington?
Philadelphia is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 100.7 versus 100.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Philadelphia.
How much is rent in Philadelphia vs Wilmington?
Median rent is $1,323/mo in Philadelphia, PA and $1,187/mo in Wilmington, DE. Wilmington, DE has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Philadelphia or Wilmington?
Median household income is $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA and $55,269 in Wilmington, DE. Philadelphia, PA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Philadelphia or Wilmington?
Pennsylvania's top income tax rate is 3.07% and Delaware's is 6.60%. Philadelphia, PA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Wilmington to match my Philadelphia income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Wilmington, DE (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology