Philadelphia, United States

Cost of Living in Philadelphia, United States

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Philadelphia costs approximately $2,701 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,865. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 301 sunny days a year.

LGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$2,701≈ $90/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,865
Internet303 Mbps
Safety35/100
Avg Temp69°F

Philadelphia Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$25
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$90
McDonald's Combo Meal$12.41
Cappuccino$1.40
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$6
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.11

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.40
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$3.81
Eggs (12)$4.64
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$5.95
Apples (1 lb)$2.76
Bananas (1 lb)$0.88
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.59
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.36
Water (1.5L Bottle)$2.41
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$15
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$12.19

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$2.50
Monthly Transit Pass$96.25
Taxi Start$2.70
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.51
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.84
VW Golf (New)$36,446

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$255.82
Mobile Phone Plan$63.91
Broadband Internet$73.35

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$60.29
Cinema Ticket$15
Preschool (Monthly)$2,191.47
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$42,930

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$48.62
Nike Running Shoes$94.23

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,864.62
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,296.16
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$3,732.78
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$2,195.26
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$360.96
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$180.45

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$4,309.27
Mortgage Interest Rate6.54%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$5,085.30
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,404.40

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Philadelphia

Internet303 Mbps
Safety35/100
Healthcare92/100
Public Transit68/100
Walkability78/100
Nightlife72/100
Food Scene82/100
Fine Dining35/100
Coffee Culture40/100
Air Quality76/100
Green Spaces68/100
Culture88/100
Beaches10/100
Hiking35/100
Surfing5/100
Coworking Spaces65

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.

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 301 sunny days and 117 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for United States

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for United States and how to apply.

Explore More

See Philadelphia on the interactive map →

Similar destinations in North America

Read our travel & relocation guides →

Browse all cities →