Living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Philadelphia · Census data 2020–2024
Philadelphia has 1,579,706 residents with a median age of 35.3. The median household income is $61,953 (21% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $243,100, the median rent is $1,397/month.
Philadelphia at a glance
- Population
- 1,579,706
- Median age
- 35.3State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $61,953State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $243,100State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $1,397/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 51.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35.4%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Philadelphia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 4% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the Pennsylvania median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 8.1%; a poverty rate of 21.4%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Philadelphia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Philadelphia the median home value is $243,100, 27% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,397 per month, which is 31.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,620 a month in housing costs.
Philadelphia median household income
The median household income in Philadelphia is $61,953 and the income per person is $38,905. 21.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Philadelphia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 748,270
- Owner-occupied
- 51.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 48.2%
- Vacant
- 9.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1949
- Average household size
- 2.26
Philadelphia demographics
- Population
- 1,579,706
- Median age
- 35.3
- Under 18
- 21.2%
- 65 and older
- 14.7%
- Households
- 679,428
- Foreign-born
- 15.2%
- Veterans
- 3.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Philadelphia ›
Education in Philadelphia
35.4% of adults 25 and older in Philadelphia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 15.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Philadelphia
- Unemployment rate
- 8.1%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 18.4%
- Drive alone
- 46%
- Public transit
- 16.7%
- Walk to work
- 7.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.1%
Philadelphia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1,579,706 | $61,953 | $243,100 | $1,397 |
| Oak Lane | 4,210 | $136,346 | $357,500 | $1,347 |
| Melrose Park | 2,266 | $168,750 | $465,200 | $1,772 |
| Cheltenham Village | 2,112 | $90,240 | $295,600 | $1,503 |
| Elkins Park | 7,213 | $129,852 | $401,200 | $1,606 |
| Cheltenham | 38,374 | $109,022 | $384,800 | $1,608 |
| Pennsauken | 37,275 | $87,680 | $232,900 | $1,209 |
| Bala Cynwyd | 10,227 | $150,000 | $640,400 | $1,886 |
| Palmyra | 7,485 | $89,574 | $234,800 | $1,696 |
More for people moving to Philadelphia
Philadelphia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Philadelphia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Philadelphia, PA?
The median household income in Philadelphia is $61,953, 21% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Philadelphia?
The median home value in Philadelphia is $243,100, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Philadelphia?
The median gross rent in Philadelphia is $1,397 per month, about 31.4% of household income.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 4% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the Pennsylvania median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 8.1%; a poverty rate of 21.4%.
What is the median age in Philadelphia?
The median age in Philadelphia is 35.3 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Philadelphia?
The average commute to work in Philadelphia is 32 minutes; 18.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Philadelphia?
The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 8.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Philadelphia?
35.4% of adults in Philadelphia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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