Cost of Living: Philadelphia vs Washington (2026)

Q: "Is Philadelphia or Washington more expensive?"

"Washington is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 109 vs 103 — a 6% difference. Your money goes further in Philadelphia."

Q: "How much is $100,000 in Philadelphia worth in Washington?"

"About $106,172 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Philadelphia."

Washington is about 6% more expensive than Philadelphia overall — $100,000 in Philadelphia is worth about $106,172 in Washington.

Philadelphia vs Washington: the numbers

Metric	Philadelphia	Washington	Difference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)	103	109	+6%
Median rent	$1,323	$1,900	+44%
Median home value	$232,400	$724,600	+212%
Median household income	$60,698	$106,287	+75%

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 Philadelphia has the same buying power as about $106,172 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $94,186 in Philadelphia.

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

Compare any salary: Philadelphia vs Washington

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Philadelphia or Washington more expensive?

Washington is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 109 vs 103 — a 6% difference. Your money goes further in Philadelphia.

How much is $100,000 in Philadelphia worth in Washington?

About $106,172 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Philadelphia.