Cost of Living in Philadelphia, United States
Philadelphia is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,701 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,865 per month, or $1,296 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Philadelphia scores 35/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 89°F and winter highs around 49°F, with roughly 211 sunny days a year.
Philadelphia Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Philadelphia
How Philadelphia Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Philadelphia ranks in the top 5% for healthcare, but sits in the bottom 9% for safety. It costs more than 87% of them.
| Metric | Philadelphia | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,701 | #296 of 340 | #49 of 80 |
| Safety | 35/100 | #312 of 340 | #70 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 92/100 | #14 of 340 | #14 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 78/100 | #37 of 340 | #6 of 80 |
| Public transit | 68/100 | #72 of 340 | #7 of 80 |
| Food scene | 82/100 | #79 of 340 | #17 of 80 |
| Air quality | 76/100 | #241 of 340 | #69 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Philadelphia
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Philadelphia.
- Baltimore, United States — $2,071/mo, 23% cheaper, safety 28/100
- St. Louis, United States — $2,246/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 28/100
- Cincinnati, United States — $2,175/mo, 19% cheaper, safety 40/100
- Santa Fe, United States — $2,040/mo, 24% cheaper, safety 50/100
Philadelphia FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Philadelphia?
A single person should budget around $2,701 per month in Philadelphia, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $5,085 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Philadelphia?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Philadelphia averages $1,865 per month, dropping to about $1,296 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $3,733.
Is Philadelphia safe?
Philadelphia scores 35/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 60/100.
How fast is the internet in Philadelphia?
Median download speeds in Philadelphia are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 65 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia sees summer highs around 89°F and winter highs near 49°F, with about 211 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 97 days.
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