Cost of living · head to head
New York, NY is 10% pricier than Philadelphia, PA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Philadelphia, PAoverall index
102.6
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Try your own salary
in Philadelphia, PA
To live the same in New York, NY, you’d need about $109,747.
That’s about $9,747 more — New York, NY is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 10%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in New York, NY runs 31% higher than in Philadelphia, PA (148.6 vs 113.1), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in New York, NY
| $50,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $54,873 |
| $75,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $82,310 |
| $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $109,747 |
| $150,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $164,620 |
| $200,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $219,493 |
Each row shows the salary in New York, NY that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Philadelphia, PA.
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Common questions
Is New York, NY cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?
No — New York, NY has an overall cost-of-living index of 112.6 versus 102.6 for Philadelphia, PA, making it about 10% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in New York, NY to match $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA?
About $109,747. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Philadelphia, PA costs roughly $109,747 in New York, NY.
Is housing cheaper in New York, NY than in Philadelphia, PA?
Housing in New York, NY scores 148.6 versus 113.1 in Philadelphia, PA — about 31% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY?
Overall, New York, NY is about 10% pricier than Philadelphia, PA (index 112.6 vs 102.6), with housing 31% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.