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City comparison

Philadelphia, PA vs Denver, CO

The income gap between Philadelphia and Denver is significant: $61,953 median household versus $94,718. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,831 in Denver.

Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Philadelphia costs less and Denver 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.

Full Philadelphia reportFull Denver report

Philadelphia, PA

Rent
$1,397/mo
Median income
61,953
Crime index
250
Weather
63°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Denver, CO

Rent
$1,831/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$2,169/mo
Median income
94,718
Crime index
268
Weather
68°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

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Rent

24% cheaper

Philadelphia rent is 24% cheaper than Denver

Philadelphia

Winner

$1,397/mo

Denver

$1,831/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,831 in Denver, so Philadelphia is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $434/month back in your pocket ($5,208/year). Over five years that's $26,040 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 Denver, 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

53% higher

Denver's median income is 53% higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$61,953

Denver

Winner

$94,718

What this means for your life

Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 53% higher in Denver (about $32,765 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, Denver 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

7% lower crime

Philadelphia's crime index is 7% lower than Denver

Philadelphia

Winner

250 (100 = avg)

Denver

268 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Philadelphia's crime index is 250 versus 268 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 7% lower in Philadelphia. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Philadelphia, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Denver. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

Typical weather

6% more comfortable

Denver weather is 6% more comfortable than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

63°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 94/100

Denver

Winner

68°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Philadelphia averages about 63°F (70°F highs); Denver averages about 68°F (77°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 63°F. Denver sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Denver scores 6% 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

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 24% 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.

Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 7% lower than Denver (250 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.

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Fit check

Who should choose Denver

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 53% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

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Bottom line

Philadelphia vs Denver: Our Take

Philadelphia is cheaper on rent ($1,397/month vs $1,831), but Denver's $94,718 median income beats Philadelphia's $61,953 by 35%. Remote workers paid on Denver scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.

Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $61,953), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.

Safety scores read 32/100 in Philadelphia and 30/100 in Denver.

Denver leads on local pay ($94,718 median income vs $61,953), even though rent runs $1,831 versus $1,397 — skip Denver only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.

Common questions

Philadelphia vs Denver FAQ

Is Philadelphia cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Typical rent in Philadelphia is $1,397 a month versus $1,831 in Denver (24% cheaper). Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia compared with $94,718 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Denver?
Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 250 versus 268 in Denver (7% 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, Philadelphia or Denver?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Philadelphia. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Denver. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

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