Updated: March 18, 2025
Philadelphia is an interesting city with a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. It has it all: big-city atmosphere and small-town coziness. But is it worth it for you to move here?
In this text, we will tell you in simple words about the important aspects of life in Philadelphia. For example, you will learn how much cheaper it is to live here than in New York or Washington. We'll tell you which jobs are easy to find and what kind of salary you can expect. You'll also understand which neighborhoods are right for you - in terms of living standards and budget. We'll discuss the safety of the city and answer the question of whether you can get by without a personal vehicle.
Cost of Living in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is an affordable city to live in on the East Coast. It's cheaper to live here than in New York, Boston, or Washington, DC. For example, the median home price in Philadelphia in 2025 is about $217,000, and renting a one-bedroom apartment is about $1,700 a month. This is much lower than other major cities nearby. Housing prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. For example, in the prestigious Rittenhouse neighborhood housing is more expensive (about $600,000), and in South Philadelphia you can find houses for about $275,000. There are neighborhoods for students, families or young professionals, and everyone can choose a suitable option on a budget.
If you don't want to buy a home, renting will cost from $1,400 for a studio to $2,300 for a two-bedroom apartment. At the same time, buying a home is more favorable than renting in the long run. If you plan to live in Philadelphia for more than 3-5 years, it's more cost-effective to buy a home than to pay rent.
Daily expenses in Philadelphia are lower than in neighboring major cities, but slightly higher than the U.S. average. Utilities cost about $160 a month, and groceries for one person cost about $350. A public transportation pass costs between $96 and $204 per month. Gasoline costs about $3.25 a gallon, cheaper than in New York City, but prices are gradually rising. Medical services are also cheaper than in neighboring cities. To live comfortably in Philadelphia, a single person needs to make about $48,000 a year. A family with two children needs to earn about 85 thousand dollars a year to live without financial difficulties.
The main advantages of Philadelphia - affordable housing, moderate costs for food and utilities, as well as convenient and inexpensive public transportation, thanks to which you can do without a car.
Labor Market
If you're looking to move to Philadelphia, it's important to understand the job and earning opportunities here. The employment situation in the city is stable, the unemployment rate is about 4.4%. This means that it is quite realistic to find a job. Philadelphia offers vacancies in different industries.
The most important areas of the city's economy are health care and education. For example, the University of Pennsylvania and its medical institutions provide a large number of jobs. The professional and business services sector is also actively developing, where salaries are growing the fastest. Another promising sector is technology. Philadelphia is becoming a popular destination for IT professionals. The average salary for developers and software engineers here is around $120,000 a year.
Manufacturing companies such as DuPont and Crown Holdings also provide many jobs and are important contributors to the economy.
Philadelphia offers a compelling balance between salary levels and cost of living. For instance, while the average salary in Philadelphia is approximately $70,533, the cost of living remains lower than in cities like New York or Washington, D.C. This combination allows professionals to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without the financial pressures often associated with larger metropolitan areas
It is also convenient to work remotely in the city. There are many co-working spaces where you can rent a workplace and meet other professionals.
Neighborhoods to live in
Philadelphia has many different neighborhoods, each suited to a certain lifestyle. To make it easier for you to choose the right place to live, here are some of them in simple terms.
The Chestnut Hill neighborhood is great for families. It is often referred to as the “garden neighborhood” because it is full of greenery, parks, and historic homes. The schools are considered some of the best in the city. It's quiet and cozy, but it's also close to stores and cafes. Another family-friendly neighborhood is Queen Village. This is an older neighborhood with a friendly atmosphere, good schools and playgrounds for kids. It's easy to socialize with neighbors and participate in local festivals.
Younger people prefer to settle in Fishtown or Northern Liberties. Fishtown has long since shed its fame as a fisherman's neighborhood and has become a popular place with nice bars, clubs and restaurants. There's also plenty of co-working spaces, and downtown is within walking distance. In NoLibs young people immerse themselves in an active nightlife, during the day the area has cozy small cafes and stores to offer. NoLibs also has good public transportation.
If one wants to save money, the South Philadelphia or Brewerytown neighborhoods can be good options. Whitman, for example, as part of South Philadelphia offers a combination of affordable housing and ample leisure activities such as cafes and cultural events. Brewerytown used to be known for breweries, but now attracts residents with affordable apartments and homes. There are many new buildings and renovated older homes, which is convenient for first-time homebuyers or renters.
It's important to remember that some popular neighborhoods, such as Fishtown and Northern Liberties, are rapidly developing and housing prices are rising. This can lead to locals being forced to move to cheaper neighborhoods.
As far as safety is concerned, the situation in Philadelphia is improving. Recently, the rate of serious crime has decreased. For example, homicides have dropped to their lowest level in a decade in 2024. However, safety still differs from neighborhood to neighborhood. Before choosing a place to live, it's worth visiting the neighborhood in person at different times of the day to get a sense of how comfortable and safe it is.
Transportation
You can live comfortably in Philadelphia without your car. It is convenient to use public transportation, which is represented by buses, subways, trolley buses and suburban trains.
The subway in Philadelphia consists of two main lines: the blue line (Market-Frankford) goes through the whole city from east to west, and the orange line (Broad Street) connects the northern and southern parts of the city. There is also the PATCO Speedline, which connects Philadelphia to the neighboring state of New Jersey and runs 24 hours a day.
From the 30th Street train station, you can easily travel to New York, Boston or Washington, D.C. by Amtrak train.
It's convenient to use a SEPTA card for travel. A monthly pass costs about $96 and is good for all bus, trolley and subway rides. It is cheaper than maintaining a personal automobile.
Philadelphia is also great for bicyclists. The city has a convenient Indego bike rental network, and many new bike lanes.
Another convenience is that in some neighborhoods, such as University City and Center City, you can easily walk to stores, cafes, and restaurants.
Culture
Philadelphia is a city with a vibrant cultural scene, diverse restaurants and an active nightlife. There is something for everyone.
Culinary life in Philadelphia will surprise you with a combination of traditional and modern flavors. For example, Kalaya restaurant will take you straight to Thailand, offering authentic Thai dishes. Fans of American cuisine will love the restaurant “Friday Saturday Sunday”, where classic dishes are prepared in a new way. El Chingón restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine, while Mawn will delight you with Southeast Asian dishes. If you like Italian cuisine, check out Pietramala. Angelo's is the place to try authentic Philadelphia cheesesteaks and delicious pizza. Mediterranean cuisine lovers will appreciate Dear Daphni restaurant, and cozy Little Walter's is perfect for a quiet dinner. Also worth a visit is Andiario restaurant in West Chester, which is famous for dishes made of local seasonal products, and Post Haste restaurant, where the menu depends on the season and organic products.
Philadelphia is also famous for its diverse street food scene. There are food trucks all over the city, where you can try both traditional dishes like cheesesteaks and dishes from around the world. Especially popular are street food festivals like the Philly Food Truck Festival, where the best mobile eateries come together.
For those who enjoy an active nightlife, Philadelphia offers several neighborhoods with many cafes, bars and clubs. For example, Old Town is historic and quiet during the day, but at night it comes alive and becomes a center of entertainment and cultural events. Center City has many rooftop bars, cafes and restaurants so close together that it is easy to walk between them. The Fishtown neighborhood is popular with young people for its music clubs and stylish bars. South Philadelphia is known for live music venues, sports bars, and restaurants that stay open late into the night.
Philadelphia also hosts many cultural festivals. For example, the Mummers Parade is a colorful celebration that takes place every year on New Year's Eve, bringing together thousands of people in colorful costumes. The Picnic Roots music festival, organized by hip-hop group The Roots, attracts music lovers from all over the country. Another well-known festival is the Philadelphia Folk Festival, which features both contemporary and traditional folk music. The city also hosts restaurant week twice a year, when restaurants offer special menus at discounted prices, giving you the opportunity to try different cuisines.
Moving to Philadelphia
Moving to Philadelphia can be a pleasant experience if you prepare in advance and know the important details.
Before moving, it's a good idea to make a plan ahead of time so you don't forget anything. You need to change your address and notify your bank, post office, and other important services. Arrange in advance to disconnect utilities in the old dwelling and connect them in the new one. Also, review your belongings, get rid of what you don't need and pack the rest neatly. Sign boxes so it's easy to unpack later.
When moving house, there can be additional costs that are often forgotten about. For example, not all moving companies in Philadelphia include boxes and packing in the price. Also, sometimes you have to pay extra if the movers have to carry things far or use the stairs. If the new apartment is not ready yet, you may need temporary storage of things, which will also increase costs. Tips for movers in Philadelphia are not required, but are usually around 10-15% of the moving cost.
Learn more about the cost of movers in Philadelphia in our article!
If you are moving to Philadelphia from another state, remember that you need to register your car in Pennsylvania within 20 days and change your driver's license within 60 days. It's also advisable to register to vote in local elections and familiarize yourself with the city's rules, such as parking or garbage disposal. It is also important to choose a new doctor and transfer medical records if necessary.