Is New York, NY cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?

Based on cost of living data, New York, NY is 66.0% more expensive than Philadelphia, PA. This translates to spending an extra $4951 per month.

What salary do I need in New York, NY to live like I do in Philadelphia, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Philadelphia, PA, you'd need approximately $209,407.115 in New York, NY to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY?

Housing in New York, NY is 230.7% more expensive than in Philadelphia, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,590/month in New York, NY compared to $1,660/month in Philadelphia, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Philadelphia, PA to New York, NY?

Living in New York, NY costs approximately $4951 more per month than Philadelphia, PA, or $59407 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Philadelphia, PA

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New York, NY

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Philadelphia, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.0K/month more in New York, NY

$150.0K in your current city equals $209.4K in New York, NY

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↑ 66.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,951

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$59.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Philadelphia, PA

Population:1584K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$241K

New York, NY

Population:8337K

Cost Index:166

Median Home:$1.05M

Philadelphia, PA

The Keystone State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Birthplace of America
•Cheesesteak city
•Major East Coast hub

Major Industries

HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturing

New York, NY

The Empire State

8.3M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Most populous city in the US
•Major global financial center
•World-renowned cultural hub

Major Industries

FinanceReal EstateTechnologyMedia

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Philadelphia, PA vs New York, NY

Category	Philadelphia, PA	New York, NY	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,313/mo	$7,648/mo	↑ $5,335more	230.7%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$2,034/mo	↑ $259more	14.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,421/mo	$1,602/mo	↑ $182more	12.8%
🏥Healthcare	$607/mo	$688/mo	↑ $80.54more	13.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,104/mo	$1,165/mo	↑ $60.95more	5.5%
⚡All Utilities	$607/mo	$600/mo	↓ $6.56less	1.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 230.7%

Philadelphia, PA

$2,313

New York, NY

$7,648

Difference

$5,335

📦Other

↑ 14.6%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,774

New York, NY

$2,034

Difference

$259

🚗Transportation

↑ 12.8%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,421

New York, NY

$1,602

Difference

$182

🏥Healthcare

↑ 13.3%

Philadelphia, PA

$607

New York, NY

$688

Difference

$80.54

🛒Groceries

↑ 5.5%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,104

New York, NY

$1,165

Difference

$60.95

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.1%

Philadelphia, PA

$607

New York, NY

$600

Difference

$6.56

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Wage Tax (resident)$5,625/yr (3.8%)

New York, NY: NYC Income Tax$5,689/yr (3.8%)

Net difference+$64.00/yr

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,280

To$3,120

↑ $1,840

1 Bed

From$1,390

To$3,270

↑ $1,880

2 Bed

From$1,660

To$3,590

↑ $1,930

3 Bed

From$1,990

To$4,500

↑ $2,510

Philadelphia, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$2,280/mo

New York, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,260–$3,990/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,826

Monthly in Philadelphia, PA

$13,737

Monthly in New York, NY

$5,911

Difference

Home Values

Philadelphia

New York

$241K

Median Value

$1.05M

↑ +2.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.1%

↑ +9%

5-Year Change

↓ -5.9%

$71K - $855K

Price Range

$471K - $3.49M

Homes in New York are 336% more expensive than Philadelphia

Calculate payment - Philadelphia Calculate payment - New York

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$412

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.3%

Rate difference

Philadelphia, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

New York, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Additional Tax Information

Philadelphia, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

New York, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.