City comparison
Yes. New York's crime index is 169 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 195 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,821 in New York.
Safety is where New York and Philadelphia split most clearly. New York scores 92 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,821 in New York and $1,397 in Philadelphia.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Philadelphia costs less and New York pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
New York and Philadelphia are 81 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,821 a month in New York to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $424 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $80,483 in New York to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $18,530 (23%).
The crime index goes from 169 in New York to 261 in Philadelphia, up 92 points (54%).
The move
Philadelphia and New York are 81 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,821 a month in New York, up $424 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $80,483 in New York, up $18,530 (30%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 169 in New York, down 92 points (35%).
New York, NY
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 New York and Philadelphia? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 23% cheaper than New York
New York
$1,821/mo
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,821 in New York, so Philadelphia is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $424/month back in your pocket ($5,088/year). Over five years that's $25,440 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.
Planning to buy in Philadelphia? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
30% higher
New York's median income is 30% higher than Philadelphia
New York
Winner$80,483
Philadelphia
$61,953
Median household income is $80,483 in New York versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 30% higher in New York (about $18,530 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
35% lower crime
New York's crime index is 35% lower than Philadelphia
New York
Winner169 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
New York's crime index is 169 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% lower in New York. 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, New York 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
4% more comfortable
Philadelphia weather is 4% more comfortable than New York
New York
58°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 80/100
Philadelphia
Winner59°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 83/100
New York averages about 58°F (65°F highs); Philadelphia averages about 59°F (67°F highs). New York averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Philadelphia averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Philadelphia scores 4% 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 New York 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 and professional growth
New York is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 30% higher here ($80,483). Start with New York if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
New York is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 35% lower than Philadelphia (169 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% 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.
Pick Philadelphia if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (59°F) beat New York on this page's weather index by 4%. New York may pay more or cost less, but Philadelphia is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward New York: New York scores 44/100 versus 31/100 in Philadelphia, with typical rent at $1,821 versus $1,397. I would vet the exact ZIP in Philadelphia before trading 13 safety points for housing savings.
New York still pays more locally ($80,483 median income vs $61,953), which can offset the lease if your field pays New York rates.
Median income is $80,483 in New York versus $61,953 in Philadelphia.
New York clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Philadelphia deserves a serious look only when you already know the Philadelphia block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for New York and Philadelphia, plus other cities in NY and PA.
