Cost of living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 31% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
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Food | - 22% | |||
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Food in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 22% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | New York City | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $18 | $23 | - 21% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 | $11 | - 6% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 | $9 | - 20% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.22 | $1.25 | - 2% | |
12 eggs, large | $2.56 | $6 | - 57% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.19 | $6 | - 32% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $8 | - 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.36 | $5.28 | - 36% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.73 | $3.90 | - 56% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.89 | $3.32 | + 17% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 | $18 | - 14% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $3.44 | $3.12 | + 10% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.87 | $4.08 | - 30% | |
Housing | - 45% | |||
Housing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 45% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | New York City | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,847 | $6,851 | - 58% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,036 | $4,177 | - 51% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $142 | $164 | - 14% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,283 | $3,743 | - 39% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,684 | $2,353 | - 28% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $110 | $124 | - 11% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $41 | $67 | - 39% | |
40” flat screen tv | $260 | $308 | - 15% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $84 | $161 | - 48% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $9 | $11 | - 18% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $27 | $31 | - 13% | |
Clothes | - 24% | |||
Clothes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 24% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | New York City | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 | $61 | - 22% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $40 | $57 | - 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $93 | $94 | - 1% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $129 | $147 | - 12% | |
Transportation | - 19% | |||
Transportation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 19% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | New York City | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $26,072 | $24,700 | + 6% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.01 | $1.31 | - 23% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $96 | $129 | - 26% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $27 | $21 | + 25% | |
Personal Care | - 24% | |||
Personal Care in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 24% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | New York City | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 | $8 | + 3% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 | $22 | - 15% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $64 | $144 | - 55% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 | $9 | - 5% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $2.75 | $4.05 | - 32% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 | $7 | - 10% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.06 | $4.14 | - 2% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.97 | $2.02 | - 3% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $32 | $31 | + 3% | |
Entertainment | - 23% | |||
Entertainment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 23% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | New York City | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $40 | $69 | - 42% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $29 | $36 | - 18% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $201 | $350 | - 43% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 | $99 | + 6% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 | $17 | - 21% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.80 | $5.27 | - 9% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 | $8 | - 10% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $313 | $443 | - 29% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.11 | $0.10 | + 6% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $55 | $100 | - 45% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $12 | $14 | - 18% | |
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TOTAL | - 31% |

These prices were last updated on February 06, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $20,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $13,732 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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