Is Philadelphia, PA cheaper or more expensive than New York, NY?

Philadelphia, PA (RPP 100.7) is cheaper than New York, NY (RPP 113) by about 10.9%.

What salary do I need in Philadelphia, PA if I earn $100,000 in New York, NY?

You would need approximately $89,115 in Philadelphia, PA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in New York, NY. Formula: $100,000 x (100.7 / 113).

Which metro had stronger net migration, New York, NY or Philadelphia, PA?

For 2021-2022, New York, NY had a net loss of 242,855 people, while Philadelphia, PA had a net loss of 19,301 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PA: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

New York, NY

Overall RPP (US=100): 113
Housing RPP: 154.2
Goods RPP: 107.6
2-BR median rent: $2,752/mo

NY state income tax 4%-10.9% + NYC city tax up to 3.876% for city residents.

Philadelphia, PA

Overall RPP (US=100): 100.7
Housing RPP: 115.8
Goods RPP: 95.5
2-BR median rent: $1,737/mo

Pennsylvania flat income tax 3.07%. Philadelphia city wage tax 3.75% residents.

Equivalent salary

Philadelphia, PA is cheaper than New York, NY by about 10.9% (RPP 113 to 100.7).

$60,000 in New York, NY

-> $53,469

in Philadelphia, PA

$100,000 in New York, NY

-> $89,115

in Philadelphia, PA

$150,000 in New York, NY

-> $133,673

in Philadelphia, PA

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PA

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

New York, NY

Net people: −242,855
Net rank: #65 of 65
Top origin share: 1%
Top destination share: 1%

Largest source: Los Angeles County, CA. Largest destination: Palm Beach County, FL.

Philadelphia, PA

Net people: −19,301
Net rank: #55 of 65
Top origin share: 2%
Top destination share: 2%

Largest source: Mercer County, NJ. Largest destination: Berks County, PA.

Rent delta: Philadelphia, PA is $1,015/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than New York, NY. Housing RPP moves from 154.2 to 115.8.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Philadelphia, PA cheaper or more expensive than New York, NY?: Philadelphia, PA (RPP 100.7) is cheaper than New York, NY (RPP 113) by about 10.9%.
What salary do I need in Philadelphia, PA if I earn $100,000 in New York, NY?: You would need approximately $89,115 in Philadelphia, PA to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in New York, NY. Formula: $100,000 x (100.7 / 113).
Which metro had stronger net migration, New York, NY or Philadelphia, PA?: For 2021-2022, New York, NY had a net loss of 242,855 people, while Philadelphia, PA had a net loss of 19,301 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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