Cost of Living: Boston vs Philadelphia (2026)

Boston vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 5% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $94,724 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 5% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $94,724 in Philadelphia.

Boston vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricBostonPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)108103-5%
Median rent$2,093$1,323-37%
Median home value$710,400$232,400-67%
Median household income$94,755$60,698-36%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $94,724 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $105,570 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and Philadelphia.

Compare any salary: Boston vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 103 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Philadelphia.

About $94,724 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.