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Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Cost of living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia County, PA

Part of the Philadelphia Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,382/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 1,582,432 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,512 45%
Federal tax $530 16%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $341 10%
Energy $205 6%
Transport $150 4%
State tax $109 3%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Philadelphia

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,372
per month
1 bedroom
$1,512
per month
2 bedroom
$1,802
per month
3 bedroom
$2,171
per month
4 bedroom
$2,468
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Philadelphia

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$60,698
per year
Individual earnings
$42,478
per year
Per capita
$37,669
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Philadelphia

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$232,400
Annual property tax
$1,952

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$143
per month · 17.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Philadelphia

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.2%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Philadelphia

State and local tax rates for Pennsylvania.

State income tax
3.1%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Philadelphia

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
32.0 min
Drive alone
46.7%
Public transit
17.9%
Work from home
16.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Philadelphia

What it costs to live in Philadelphia each month.

Single person
$3,382
per month
  • Rent $1,512
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $341
  • Transport $150
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $530
  • State tax $109
Couple
$4,560
per month
  • Rent $1,802
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $565
  • Transport $200
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $663
  • State tax $155
Family
$7,059
per month
  • Rent $2,171
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $857
  • Transport $280
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $663
  • State tax $155

Frequently asked questions about Philadelphia

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,512 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,802 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,171 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the average household income is $60,698 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,478 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Philadelphia?

The estimated cost of living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is approximately $3,382 per month for a single person, $4,560 for a couple, $7,059 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Philadelphia?

The combined sales tax rate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is 6.34%, which includes the Pennsylvania state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.34%.

Is Philadelphia an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania would need approximately $3,382 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $60,698 per year ($5,058 per month). Philadelphia has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Philadelphia?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.2% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Philadelphia?

The average home value in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $232,400, with average annual property taxes of $1,952, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Philadelphia compare to other areas?

You can compare Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Philadelphia is in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Browse the full list of counties in Pennsylvania, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Pennsylvania

Compare Philadelphia with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources