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Philadelphia, PA vs Nashville, TN

The income gap between Philadelphia and Nashville is significant: $61,953 median household versus $77,371. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,397 in Philadelphia and $1,586 in Nashville.

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

Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.

Full Philadelphia reportFull Nashville 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.

Nashville, TN

Rent
$1,586/mo
Median income
77,371
Crime index
277
Weather
70°F

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

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Rent

12% cheaper

Philadelphia rent is 12% cheaper than Nashville

Philadelphia

Winner

$1,397/mo

Nashville

$1,586/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,586 in Nashville, so Philadelphia is 12% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,268, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Philadelphia still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Nashville.

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Median income

25% higher

Nashville's median income is 25% higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$61,953

Nashville

Winner

$77,371

What this means for your life

Median household income is $77,371 in Nashville versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Nashville (about $15,418 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, Nashville 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

10% lower crime

Philadelphia's crime index is 10% lower than Nashville

Philadelphia

Winner

250 (100 = avg)

Nashville

277 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Philadelphia's crime index is 250 versus 277 in Nashville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% 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 Nashville. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

Typical weather

6% more comfortable

Nashville weather is 6% more comfortable than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

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

Nashville

Winner

70°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Philadelphia averages about 63°F (70°F highs); Nashville averages about 70°F (79°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 63°F. Nashville sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Nashville 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 12% 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 10% lower than Nashville (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 Nashville

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 25% higher ($77,371), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 70°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

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Bottom line

Philadelphia vs Nashville: Our Take

Philadelphia is cheaper on rent ($1,397/month vs $1,586), but Nashville's $77,371 median income beats Philadelphia's $61,953 by 20%. Remote workers paid on Nashville scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.

With only $189 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.

Safety scores read 32/100 in Philadelphia and 29/100 in Nashville.

Nashville leads on local pay ($77,371 median income vs $61,953), even though rent runs $1,586 versus $1,397 — skip Nashville only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.

Common questions

Philadelphia vs Nashville FAQ

Is Philadelphia cheaper than Nashville?
Yes. Typical rent in Philadelphia is $1,397 a month versus $1,586 in Nashville (12% cheaper). Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia compared with $77,371 in Nashville, so Nashville has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Nashville?
Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 250 versus 277 in Nashville (10% 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 Nashville?
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 Nashville. 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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