Cost of living · head to head
Washington, DC is 6% 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
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Try your own salary
in Philadelphia, PA
To live the same in Washington, DC, you’d need about $106,140.
That’s about $6,140 more — Washington, DC is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 6%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Washington, DC runs 34% higher than in Philadelphia, PA (151.1 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 Washington, DC
| $50,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $53,070 |
| $75,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $79,605 |
| $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $106,140 |
| $150,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $159,211 |
| $200,000 in Philadelphia, PA | $212,281 |
Each row shows the salary in Washington, DC that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Philadelphia, PA.
Philadelphia, PA · housing
113.1
Washington, DC · housing
151.1
Common questions
Is Washington, DC cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?
No — Washington, DC has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.9 versus 102.6 for Philadelphia, PA, making it about 6% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Washington, DC to match $100,000 in Philadelphia, PA?
About $106,140. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Philadelphia, PA costs roughly $106,140 in Washington, DC.
Is housing cheaper in Washington, DC than in Philadelphia, PA?
Housing in Washington, DC scores 151.1 versus 113.1 in Philadelphia, PA — about 34% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC?
Overall, Washington, DC is about 6% pricier than Philadelphia, PA (index 108.9 vs 102.6), with housing 34% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.