Cost of living, Philadelphia
102.6
BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Philadelphia sits about 2.6% above national prices.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US
- +2.6%
- Metro
- Philadelphia
- CBSA
- 37980
Philadelphia all-items RPP is 102.6 (2024), about 2.6% above US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $92,340 here for equal purchasing power.
Price components in Philadelphia
| Component | Philadelphia | US |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.6 | 100 |
| Goods | 96.8 | 100 |
| Housing (rents) | 113.1 | 100 |
| Other services | 103.1 | 100 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.
What a US-average salary buys in Philadelphia
| At US average | In Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | $61,560 |
| $90,000 | $92,340 |
| $150,000 | $153,900 |
Local equivalent = national salary × (102.6 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.
Top wages here
FAQ
- What is the cost of living in Philadelphia?
- The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 102.6, versus a US average of 100 (+2.6%).
- How is RPP different from CPI?
- CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
- How should I use this with OEWS wages?
- Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $92,340 in Philadelphia for equal purchasing power.
- Does this include taxes or housing alone?
- No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Highest wages here
- Chief Executives , 4,120 OEWS emp. $292,770
- Physicians, All Other , 11,380 OEWS emp. $245,810
- Computer and Information Systems Managers , 15,090 OEWS emp. $173,470
- Architectural and Engineering Managers , 5,060 OEWS emp. $171,140
- Lawyers , 19,040 OEWS emp. $170,660
- Financial Managers , 18,520 OEWS emp. $166,920
See methodology and disclaimer.