Side-by-side comparison

Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Brooklyn, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Brooklyn is approximately 39% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $4,693/mo in Brooklyn versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Brooklyn · Studio

$2,406

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Brooklyn is $1,034 (75%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · 1 bedroom

$2,511

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Brooklyn is $999 (66%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · 2 bedroom

$2,780

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Brooklyn is $978 (54%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · 3 bedroom

$3,465

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Brooklyn is $1,294 (60%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Brooklyn · Household income

$78,548

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Brooklyn is $17,850 (29%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · Individual earnings

$50,777

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Brooklyn is $8,299 (20%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · Per capita

$46,057

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Brooklyn is $8,388 (22%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Brooklyn · Average home value

$889,700

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Brooklyn is $657,300 (283%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · Annual property tax

$6,120

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Brooklyn is $4,168 (214%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Brooklyn · Monthly electricity

$140

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Philadelphia is $3 (2%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Monthly gas

$68

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Brooklyn is $6 (10%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · Annual total

$2,496

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Brooklyn is $36 (1%) higher than Philadelphia

Healthcare in Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Brooklyn · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Brooklyn and Philadelphia are about the same

Brooklyn · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Brooklyn and Philadelphia are about the same

Brooklyn · Uninsured rate

5.9%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Philadelphia is 1.3% (22%) higher than Brooklyn

Taxes in Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Brooklyn · State income tax

10.9%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Brooklyn is 7.8% (255%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · State sales tax

4.0%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Philadelphia is 2.0% (50%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Combined sales tax

8.5%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Brooklyn is 2.2% (34%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Brooklyn · Average commute

42.1 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Brooklyn is 10.1 min (32%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · Drive alone

18.0%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Philadelphia is 28.7% (159%) higher than Brooklyn

Brooklyn · Public transit

48.6%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Brooklyn is 30.7% (172%) higher than Philadelphia

Monthly cost estimates in Brooklyn vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Brooklyn · Single person

$4,693

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Brooklyn is $1,311 (39%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · Couple

$6,130

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Brooklyn is $1,570 (34%) higher than Philadelphia

Brooklyn · Family

$9,000

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Brooklyn is $1,941 (27%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Brooklyn and Philadelphia.

Is Brooklyn or Philadelphia more expensive?

Brooklyn is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,693/mo in Brooklyn, New York and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 39%.

What is the rent difference between Brooklyn and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Brooklyn, New York is $2,511/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brooklyn is approximately $999 (66%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Brooklyn or Philadelphia?

Brooklyn has the higher average household income. Brooklyn households earn approximately $78,548 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Brooklyn and Philadelphia

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

Brooklyn 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.