Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 36% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Seattle vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Seattle is $866 (63%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Seattle is $781 (52%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Seattle is $869 (48%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Seattle is $1,350 (62%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Seattle is $61,450 (101%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Seattle is $24,663 (58%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Seattle is $33,393 (89%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Seattle vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Seattle is $578,800 (249%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Seattle is $4,833 (248%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Seattle vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Philadelphia is $34 (31%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Philadelphia is $14 (29%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Philadelphia is $576 (31%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Philadelphia are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Philadelphia are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Philadelphia is 2.0% (38%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Philadelphia is 3.1% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Seattle is 0.5% (8%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Seattle is 3.9% (61%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Seattle vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 3.9 min (14%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Seattle is 5.1% (11%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 9.9% (124%) higher than Seattle

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Seattle is $1,206 (36%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Seattle is $1,864 (41%) higher than Philadelphia

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Seattle is $2,381 (34%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Philadelphia.

Is Seattle or Philadelphia more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 36%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Seattle is approximately $781 (52%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Philadelphia?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Seattle and Philadelphia

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

Seattle 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.