Before You Move ThereBefore You Move There
New search

City comparison

Philadelphia, PA vs Washington, DC

The income gap between Philadelphia and Washington is significant: $57,537 median household versus $101,722. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,810 in Philadelphia and $2,246 in Washington.

This is a genuine split. Philadelphia wins on cost of living and safety and Washington wins on the job market. 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 Philadelphia reportFull Washington report

Philadelphia, PA

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

Washington, DC

Rent
2,246/mo
Median income
101,722
Crime index
231
Schools
A-
Weather
76°F

Rent

19% cheaper

Philadelphia rent is 19% cheaper than Washington

Philadelphia

Winner

$1,810/mo

Washington

$2,246/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,810 a month in Philadelphia versus $2,246 in Washington, so Philadelphia is 19% 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 $5,232, 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 Washington.

Planning to buy in Philadelphia? Check mortgage rates before you decide.

Check rates

Median income

77% higher

Washington's median income is 77% higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$57,537

Washington

Winner

$101,722

What this means for your life

Median household income is $101,722 in Washington versus $57,537 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 77% higher in Washington (about $44,185 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, Washington 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

45% lower crime

Philadelphia's crime index is 45% lower than Washington

Philadelphia

Winner

128 (100 = avg)

Washington

231 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Philadelphia's crime index is 128 versus 231 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% 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. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

Philadelphia and Washington are about even on school scores.

Philadelphia

A- · 84/100

Washington

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Philadelphia, A- in Washington). 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

Philadelphia and Washington are about even on typical weather.

Philadelphia

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

Washington

76°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Philadelphia averages about 74°F (82°F highs); Washington averages about 76°F (84°F highs). Philadelphia sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Washington sits near 76°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 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 19% 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 45% lower than Washington (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 →

Fit check

Who should choose Washington

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Washington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 77% higher here ($101,722). Start with Washington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Washington report →

Bottom line

Philadelphia vs Washington: Our Take

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

Philadelphia's typical rent runs 19% lower than Washington ($1,810/month vs $2,246/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: Washington's median household income is 77% higher ($101,722 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

Philadelphia vs Washington FAQ

Is Philadelphia cheaper than Washington?
Yes. Typical rent in Philadelphia is $1,810 a month versus $2,246 in Washington (19% cheaper). Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia compared with $101,722 in Washington, so Washington has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Washington?
Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 128 versus 231 in Washington (45% 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 Washington?
School composites are close: A- in Philadelphia and A- in Washington. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

Ready to move to Philadelphia?

Get a mortgage rate →

Next steps

Tools for your move

Quotes and listings for Philadelphia when you're ready to act.

Keep researching

Explore more comparisons

Nearby research

Related Cities

Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Washington, plus other cities in PA and DC.