Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 42% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Fairfax vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Fairfax is $640 (47%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Fairfax is $544 (36%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Fairfax is $512 (28%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Fairfax is $722 (33%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Fairfax is $89,415 (147%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Fairfax is $29,094 (68%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Fairfax is $32,302 (86%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Fairfax vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Fairfax is $467,300 (201%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Fairfax is $5,120 (262%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Fairfax vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Fairfax is $10 (7%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Philadelphia is $13 (27%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Philadelphia is $36 (1%) higher than Fairfax

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Philadelphia are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Philadelphia are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Fairfax is 0.2% (3%) higher than Philadelphia

Taxes in Fairfax vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Fairfax is 2.7% (87%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Philadelphia is 0.7% (13%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Philadelphia is 0.6% (10%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 2.5 min (8%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Fairfax is 11.2% (24%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 12.6% (238%) higher than Fairfax

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Fairfax is $1,426 (42%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Fairfax is $2,910 (64%) higher than Philadelphia

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Fairfax is $3,152 (45%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Philadelphia.

Is Fairfax or Philadelphia more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 42%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fairfax is approximately $544 (36%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Philadelphia?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Fairfax and Philadelphia

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fairfax profile Philadelphia profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.