Question 1

Is Boston or Philadelphia cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $912/month less than in Boston, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,941/mo in Boston versus $1,810/mo in Philadelphia.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Boston vs Philadelphia?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $101,500/year before tax in Boston, MA and $84,000/year in Philadelphia, PA — a difference of about $17,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Boston or Philadelphia cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Philadelphia, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,728/month in Boston and $9,690/month in Philadelphia, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Boston or Philadelphia?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Philadelphia costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Boston58	Philadelphia53
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,216	$4,304
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,728	$9,690
Salary for comfort	$101,500/yr	$84,000/yr
Typical rent	$2,941	$1,810
Median home value	$710,400	$232,400
Median household income	$94,755	$60,698
Unemployment	4.2%	4.9%
Housing score	8	45
Jobs score	50	55
Safety score	86	4
Climate score	85	100
Amenities score	70	46
Population	664K	1.6M
Summer high / winter low	81° / 22°	87° / 29°

Boston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA