City comparison
Yes. Los Angeles's crime index is 158 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 202 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,933 in Los Angeles.
Safety is where Los Angeles and Philadelphia split most clearly. Los Angeles scores 103 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,933 in Los Angeles and $1,397 in Philadelphia.
Los Angeles is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Los Angeles is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,397 average has pockets that run $1,197 and others at $1,797: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Los Angeles and Philadelphia are 2,388 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,933 a month in Los Angeles to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $536 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $81,939 in Los Angeles to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $19,986 (24%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Los Angeles to 261 in Philadelphia, up 103 points (65%).
The move
Philadelphia and Los Angeles are 2,388 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,933 a month in Los Angeles, up $536 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $81,939 in Los Angeles, up $19,986 (32%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 158 in Los Angeles, down 103 points (39%).
Los Angeles, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Los Angeles and Philadelphia? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 28% cheaper than Los Angeles
Los Angeles
$1,933/mo
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,933 in Los Angeles, so Philadelphia is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $536/month back in your pocket ($6,432/year). Over five years that's $32,160 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Los Angeles, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Philadelphia is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Los Angeles? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
32% higher
Los Angeles's median income is 32% higher than Philadelphia
Los Angeles
Winner$81,939
Philadelphia
$61,953
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 32% higher in Los Angeles (about $19,986 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Los Angeles is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
39% lower crime
Los Angeles's crime index is 39% lower than Philadelphia
Los Angeles
Winner158 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Los Angeles's crime index is 158 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 39% lower in Los Angeles. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Los Angeles is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Los Angeles weather is 20% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Los Angeles
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia
59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
Los Angeles averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs). Los Angeles sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Los Angeles scores 20% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 32% higher ($81,939), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Los Angeles is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 39% lower than Philadelphia (158 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Los Angeles scores 46/100 versus 31/100 in Philadelphia. Rent is $1,933/month in Los Angeles and $1,397/month in Philadelphia, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Los Angeles still pays more locally ($81,939 median income vs $61,953), which can offset the lease if your field pays Los Angeles rates.
Median income is $81,939 in Los Angeles versus $61,953 in Philadelphia.
Between Los Angeles and Philadelphia, Los Angeles is ahead on safety — 46/100 safety versus 31/100. Lean Philadelphia instead when you already know the Philadelphia block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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