Washington, DC vs Philadelphia, PA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Philadelphia is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Washington are 7.7% higher, and housing prices differ the most (135.9 in Washington vs 106.3 in Philadelphia). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,627 a month in Washington and $2,782 in Philadelphia.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Washington, DC | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 109.4 | 101.5 |
| BEA index for the area | 108.9 | 102.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.9 | 106.3 |
| Goods | 104.8 | 96.8 |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 114.4 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 103.1 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,627 | $2,782 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,311 | $4,477 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,532 | $5,279 |
| Median gross rent | $1,954 | $1,397 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,944 | $1,242 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,083 | $1,471 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,503 | $1,492 |
| Median home value | $737,100 | $243,100 |
| Median household income | $109,870 | $61,953 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 28.6% | 31.4% |
| Home value ÷ income | 6.7× | 3.9× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 25.98 | 21.77 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $4.23 † |
| Population | 681,294 | 1,579,706 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Washington, DC
Washington price index by category, US average = 100: All items 109.4, Housing (rents) 135.9, Goods 104.8, Utilities 106.7, Other services 102.3
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.5, Housing (rents) 106.3, Goods 96.8, Utilities 114.4, Other services 103.1
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Washington | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,374 | $1,252 | −$1,122 |
| Utilities | $534 | $582 | +$48 |
| Food at home | $779 | $719 | −$60 |
| Transportation | $1,781 | $1,682 | −$99 |
| Health care | $621 | $626 | +$5 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $443 | $418 | −$25 |
| Total | $6,532 | $5,279 | −$1,253 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Washington?
No. Overall prices in Philadelphia, PA (index 101.5) are 7.2% lower than in Washington, DC (index 109.4), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 106.3 vs 135.9.
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $60,000 in Washington?
About $55,700. Going the other way, $60,000 in Philadelphia buys about as much as $64,600 in Washington. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Washington or Philadelphia?
Median gross rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,397 in Philadelphia (−28.5% in Philadelphia; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $737,100 and $243,100.
Notes
- Washington: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
- Philadelphia: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources