CostByCity

Boston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA

Cost of Living Comparison

Philadelphia, PA is more affordable by 5.7 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryBoston, MAPhiladelphia, PADifference
Overall108.3102.6+5.7
Housing148.4113.1+35.3
Goods99.796.8+2.8
Utilities148.8114.4+34.4
Other Services103.6103.1+0.6

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricBoston, MAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Household Income$107,117$85,555
Median Home Value$570,000$304,900
Median Monthly Rent$1,827$1,347
Per Capita Income$58,400$47,051

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston, MA or Philadelphia, PA cheaper to live in?
Philadelphia, PA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 5.7 index points (Boston, MA: 108.3, Philadelphia, PA: 102.6).
Where is housing cheaper, Boston, MA or Philadelphia, PA?
Housing is more affordable in Philadelphia, PA. Housing index: Boston, MA (148.4) vs Philadelphia, PA (113.1).