The average cost of living in Philadelphia is $2,077.41 per month.
Philadelphia, popularly known as Philly, is the sixth most populous city in the U.S. It is also one of its oldest cities. The city is sometimes called “The City of Brotherly Love” because of its powerful sense of community.
This sense of community is what keeps this populous city very intimate and neighborly, and it’s why many people find themselves moving to Philly. It is a great and historic city. Philly is also known for the Philly Cheesesteak, which is essentially a bun with beef, onions, cheese, and pepper unique to the area.
However, before you decide on living in Philadelphia, it’s important to know the cost of living. This guide gives good insight into the significant costs you’ll encounter when living in Philly. Let’s get to it!
Methodology
The main data collection source for this article is Numbeo and trusted city-related websites, including SEPTA and Revenue PA Gov. The costs presented are estimates and pertain to an individual living alone on a monthly basis.
Cost of Living in Philadelphia, PA – 2024
Housing costs in Philadelphia
Unlike many major cities, housing costs in Philadelphia are very affordable. When compared to cities like NYC, Philly’s average rent is much lower at about 102.93%.
For this reason, many New York residents have moved over to Philadelphia for a much cheaper cost of living while enjoying the amenities of a metropolis. Philly is also very profitable for real estate developers and investors. See more on the rental and housing costs below.
Cost of rent in Philadelphia
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Philadelphia (Outside of Center) |
$1,314.37 |
$2,099.43 |
Cost of buying a property in Philadelphia
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Philadelphia |
$220,168 |
Utility costs in Philadelphia: Internet, electricity and water
Pennsylvania began offering residents the option of selecting their electricity provider in 1997. The result of this decision was a significant increase in competition among Philadelphia’s electric providers.
As a result, Philadelphians have access to lower electricity rates and choose where to buy their electric power. On average, residents in Philadelphia consume 837 kWh/month. Below is a table of different electricity providers and their rates per kWh.
|
Utilities |
Cost |
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
$193.22 |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$64.83 |
|
Total |
$258.05 |
Ad
Grocery costs in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is an affordable place to live, with its cost of living being close to the national average. Grocery costs in Philadelphia vary from household depending on income, family size, and food preference.
|
Grocery items in Philadelphia |
Cost |
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
$4.80 |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
$3.67 |
|
Rice (white) (1 lb) |
$2.07 |
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
$4.49 |
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
$7.54 |
|
Chicken Filets (1 lb) |
$6.05 |
|
Beef Round (1 lb) |
$7.23 |
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.26 |
|
Banana (1 lb) |
$0.75 |
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.60 |
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
$2.74 |
|
Potato (1 lb) |
$1.13 |
|
Onion (1 lb) |
$1.44 |
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
$3.03 |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
$15.00 |
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
$1.73 |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
$4.61 |
Public transit in Philadelphia
Whether you live in the city or the suburbs of Philadelphia you can use the SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) public transportation seven days a week, with frequent service every few minutes, to get around and get to all your destinations.
|
Type of fare |
Rate |
|
Single ticket |
$2.00 |
|
Daily pass |
$6.00 |
|
Three day pass |
$15.00 |
|
Weekly pass |
$25.50 |
|
Monthly pass |
$96.00 |
Cost of The Public Bicycle Sharing System: Indego Bike Prices
Philadelphia, PA is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. Philadelphia’s protected bike lanes and scenic trails make cycling an excellent way to see the city’s many parks and trails, as well as an environmentally friendly way to get from one neighborhood to another. Some of the major bike lanes include:
- East/West on Pine and Spruce Streets
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- North/South on Delaware Avenue from South Philadelphia to Fishtown
- Spring Garden Street from Delaware Avenue to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- 5th and 6th Streets from Spring Garden Street to Chestnut Street
Getting around by bike in Philly is easy, thanks to Indego. Philadelphia’s bike-share program is convenient and affordable. Indego has over 100 stations located across the city that offer both classic and electric bikes. Here’s how much it cost to rent Indego in Philadelphia, PA.
|
Type of fare |
*Rate |
|
Guest Pass 24 Hours of Access |
$15.00 |
|
Indego30 Pass 30 Day Pass |
$20.00 |
|
Indego365 Pass Annual Pass |
$156.00 |
*Rates do not include tax.
Entertainment costs in Philadelphia
With all the parks and sports facilities, there are many free ways to get entertained for free in Philadelphia. For activities that aren’t free like dining out and going to the movie theater, they are still relatively cheap.
|
Entertainment in Philly |
Cost |
|
Mid-range restaurant meal |
$37.50 |
|
Taxi 1h |
$25.00 |
|
1 cinema ticket |
$14.00 |
|
Total |
$76.50 |
Sales tax in Philadelphia
The sales tax in the state of Pennsylvania is 6%, but when making a purchase in the city of Philadelphia, a 2% is added. This makes the sales tax rate in Philadelphia 8%.
Healthcare costs in Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department regulates healthcare costs in Philadelphia. They also collect and review the price list of all healthcare insurance providers in the country and ensure that the prices are neither excessive, inadequate, nor unfairly discriminatory.
Nevertheless, healthcare costs in Philadelphia, PA, vary among providers. By law, companies with 50 or more employees are required to provide healthcare insurance for employees.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$139.83 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance (average cheapest) |
$172.33 |
|
Gym |
$51.93 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
Conclusion
It’s easy to see why many people choose to move to Pennsylvania and more specifically Philadelphia. Compared to New York, living in Philly is a bargain. Housing, food, and transportation are much cheaper. Philly gives you the feel of an urban city with a much more affordable cost of living.
Philly also offers many fun activities and events, some of which are completely free. Playgrounds, trails, parks, and sporting courts provide opportunities for outdoor sports in the city, including basketball, hockey, tennis, and baseball. Are you moving to Philadelphia soon? Make sure you hire one of the best movers in Philadelphia to handle your move to perfection!
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,314.37 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($70.14 multiplied by 4) |
$280.56 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$193.22 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$64.83 |
|
Transit pass |
$96.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$76.50 |
|
Gym membership |
$51.93 |
|
Total |
$2,077.41 |
