Is it cheaper to live in Philadelphia or Washington?

Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,400 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Philadelphia than in Washington?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Philadelphia versus $75,000 in Washington.

Which has lower taxes, Philadelphia or Washington?

Philadelphia is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Philadelphia vs Washington Cost of Living 2026

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$1,400/mo est.

Washington

District of Columbia

$2,130/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,400 in Philadelphia, PA versus $2,130 in Washington, DC. Overall, Philadelphia, PA is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 43% higher in Washington, DC. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Philadelphia, PA

Washington, DC

Rent

Studio

$1,126

$1,763

+57% in Washington, DC

1 Bedroom

$1,189

$1,885

+59% in Washington, DC

2 Bedroom

$1,394

$1,949

+40% in Washington, DC

3 Bedroom

$1,406

$2,249

+60% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$232,400

$724,600

+212% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income

$60,698

$106,287

+75% in Washington, DC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,310

$71,060

+31% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

34.9 yr

+0.2 yr in Philadelphia, PA

Homeownership

52.3%

41.1%

+11.2 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.6%

63.6%

+29.0 pp in Washington, DC

Avg Commute

32.0 min

30.3 min

+1.7 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

916.8

936

+2% in Washington, DC

Property Crime

4,614.3

3,627.1

+21% in Philadelphia, PA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

58.2°F

+1.1°F in Washington, DC

Annual Precipitation

48.5 in

39.7 in

+8.8 in in Philadelphia, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.30/gal

about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$2.00

+20% in Philadelphia, PA

Adult base one-way fare — SEPTA vs WMATA (Metrobus) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

20.9

25.0

+20% in Washington, DC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.67

$18.01

+8% in Washington, DC

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.16

+1% in Washington, DC

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.73

+10% in Philadelphia, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

$2.19

+3% in Philadelphia, PA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.56

+5% in Philadelphia, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.02

$1.90

+6% in Philadelphia, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.68

$0.61

+10% in Philadelphia, PA

Average prices — Northeast vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / DC)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

10.75%

+7.7 pp in DC

Philadelphia vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Philadelphia or Washington?: Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,400 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Washington, DC's $2,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Philadelphia than in Washington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Philadelphia versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Philadelphia or Washington?: Philadelphia is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% 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).