Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,990 in New York City, NY versus $1,400 in Philadelphia, PA. Overall, Philadelphia, PA is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.
Median household income is $79,713 in New York City, NY and $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA — about 24% higher in New York City, NY. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: New York City vs East Coast (PADD 1).
Public Transit
Adult base one-way fare — MTA vs SEPTA (2026).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — Northeast vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
New York City vs Philadelphia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in New York City or Philadelphia?
- Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,400 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below New York City, NY's $1,990, mainly because of rent.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in New York City than in Philadelphia?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $68,000 a year in New York City versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.
- Which has lower taxes, New York City or Philadelphia?
- New York City is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).