Updated November 7, 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Cost of Living in Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

How expensive is Philadelphia, PA?

With a price level of 102.6 (U.S. average = 100), Philadelphia, PA is close to the national average. In detail, housing costs run 13% above average; everyday goods are 3% below average; utilities run 14% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 3% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.

Prices in Philadelphia, PA vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Philadelphia, PA

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Salary needed to live in Philadelphia, PA

To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:

Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.

A monthly budget on the median wage

A single worker earning Philadelphia, PA's median wage of $54,310 takes home about $3,679 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,520, which is 41% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $2,159 a month for everything else.

Take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia residents also pay the Resident Wage Tax: about $2,031 a year on the $54,310 median wage, leaving $42,120. Select “Philadelphia” under City income tax above to include it.

Highest-paying jobs in Philadelphia, PA

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Philadelphia, PA vs. similar-size cities

Frequently asked questions

Top salaries by field in Philadelphia, PA

Management Occupations

• Chief Executive — $239,200+
• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $173,470
• Natural Sciences Manager — $172,900
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $171,140
• Financial Manager — $166,920
• Marketing Manager — $166,310
• Sales Manager — $156,500
• Human Resources Manager — $154,490

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Personal Financial Advisor — $116,560
• Project Management Specialist — $104,160
• Management Analyst — $100,920
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $95,400
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $86,900
• Logistician — $86,900
• Accountant and Auditor — $85,990
• Financial Specialists, All Other — $84,680

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Computer Network Architect — $138,850
• Software Developer — $133,040
• Information Security Analyst — $132,560
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $121,990
• Data Scientist — $109,910
• Computer Systems Analyst — $105,050
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $102,740
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $100,460

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Electrical Engineer — $127,730
• Mechanical Engineer — $104,410
• Industrial Engineer — $103,370
• Civil Engineer — $99,410

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Biochemist and Biophysicist — $134,090
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $102,950
• Chemist — $95,440

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $66,190
• Healthcare Social Worker — $65,990
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $58,140
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $55,930
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $45,370

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $170,660
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $70,430

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $108,150
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $80,560
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $79,760
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School — $78,860
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $78,570
• Instructional Coordinator — $78,400
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $78,130
• Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $77,330

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Public Relations Specialist — $64,550
• Graphic Designer — $63,090
• Coach and Scout — $56,770

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
• Dentists, General — $163,390
• Pharmacist — $148,740
• Nurse Practitioner — $135,700
• Physician Assistant — $135,640
• Physical Therapist — $105,790
• Occupational Therapist — $103,140
• Registered Nurse — $101,180

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Dental Assistant — $49,570
• Phlebotomist — $47,370
• Nursing Assistant — $46,220
• Medical Assistant — $45,890
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $29,800

Protective Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $119,540
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $89,580
• Firefighter — $78,050
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $67,200
• Security Guard — $37,450
• Crossing Guard and Flagger — $37,350
• Protective Service Workers, All Other — $35,060
• School Bus Monitor — $34,620

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $65,680
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,580
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $38,870
• Cooks, Restaurant — $38,270
• Waiter and Waitress — $36,570
• Bartender — $36,040
• Food Preparation Worker — $34,560
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $33,300

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $50,340
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $42,130
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,930
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $35,550

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $51,560
• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,040
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $37,320
• Recreation Worker — $35,710
• Animal Caretaker — $34,970
• Childcare Worker — $34,520
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $32,220
• Manicurist and Pedicurist — $31,200

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $121,180
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $92,510
• Insurance Sales Agent — $81,540
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $77,760
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $76,580
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $71,020
• Real Estate Sales Agent — $54,710
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $50,130

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $79,490
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $72,700
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $61,710
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $61,480
• Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $60,960
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $58,810
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators — $57,430
• Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $57,150

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $95,840
• Construction and Building Inspector — $75,710
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $74,860
• Electrician — $74,590
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $66,810
• Carpenter — $61,780
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $57,410
• Construction Laborer — $55,120

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $85,870
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $70,340
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $64,580
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $64,550
• Automotive Body and Related Repairer — $59,000
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $58,460
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $51,290
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $50,200

Production Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $79,520
• Machinist — $61,280
• Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender — $60,410
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $58,380
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $51,990
• Printing Press Operator — $48,610
• Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $47,570
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $44,340

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,820
• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $59,730
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,370
• Bus Drivers, School — $51,960
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $49,260
• Light Truck Driver — $45,740
• Packers and Packagers, Hand — $43,970
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $43,460

Other cities in Pennsylvania

• Pittsburgh, PA
• Allentown, PA
• Harrisburg, PA
• Scranton, PA
• Lancaster, PA
• York, PA
• Reading, PA
• Erie, PA
• State College, PA
• Chambersburg, PA

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