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City comparison

New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PA

The cost gap between New York and Philadelphia is the real story here. Philadelphia comes in 38% cheaper on typical rent ($2,910 vs $1,810), which over a year adds up to $13,200. Median household income runs $76,607 in New York and $57,537 in Philadelphia.

This is a genuine split. New York wins on the job market and Philadelphia wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Philadelphia at $1,810 average has pockets that run $1,610 and others at $2,210: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full New York reportFull Philadelphia report

New York, NY

Rent
2,910/mo
Median income
76,607
Crime index
153
Schools
A-
Weather
71°F

Philadelphia, PA

Rent
1,810/mo
Median income
57,537
Crime index
128
Schools
A-
Weather
74°F

Rent

38% cheaper

Philadelphia rent is 38% cheaper than New York

New York

$2,910/mo

Philadelphia

Winner

$1,810/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,810 a month in Philadelphia versus $2,910 in New York, so Philadelphia is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $1,100/month back in your pocket ($13,200/year). Over five years that's $66,000 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 New York, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Philadelphia is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

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Median income

33% higher

New York's median income is 33% higher than Philadelphia

New York

Winner

$76,607

Philadelphia

$57,537

What this means for your life

Median household income is $76,607 in New York versus $57,537 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 33% higher in New York (about $19,070 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, New York 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

16% lower crime

Philadelphia's crime index is 16% lower than New York

New York

153 (100 = avg)

Philadelphia

Winner

128 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Philadelphia's crime index is 128 versus 153 in New York (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% lower in Philadelphia. 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, Philadelphia is the easier city. New York can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

New York and Philadelphia are about even on school scores.

New York

A- · 84/100

Philadelphia

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in New York, A- in Philadelphia). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

Neck and neck

New York and Philadelphia are about even on typical weather.

New York

71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

Philadelphia

74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

New York averages about 71°F (77°F highs); Philadelphia averages about 74°F (82°F highs). New York sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Philadelphia sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.

Fit check

Who should choose New York

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

New York is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 33% higher here ($76,607). Start with New York if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

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Fit check

Who should choose Philadelphia

Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy

Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 38% cheaper here at about $1,810 a month. Choose Philadelphia if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 16% lower than New York (128 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.

Open the Philadelphia report →

Bottom line

New York vs Philadelphia: Our Take

Philadelphia wins overall, but the margin is thinner than the category headlines suggest (2 wins to 1).

Philadelphia's typical rent runs 38% lower than New York ($1,810/month vs $2,910/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: New York's median household income is 33% higher ($76,607 vs $57,537), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

The decision comes down to whether you value cost of living more than the job market. For most middle-income movers, Philadelphia is the stronger choice.

Common questions

New York vs Philadelphia FAQ

Is New York cheaper than Philadelphia?
No. Philadelphia is cheaper: typical rent is $1,810 a month versus $2,910 in New York (38% lower). Median household income is $76,607 in New York compared with $57,537 in Philadelphia, so New York has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, New York or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 128 versus 153 in New York (16% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, New York or Philadelphia?
School composites are close: A- in New York and A- in Philadelphia. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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