New York City, NY vs Philadelphia, PA
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Aug 2026
Report card
| Category | New York CityNew York City, NY | PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Soft | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | High Risk | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Average | Good | |
| Sovereignty | Moderate | High Autonomy | |
| Strategic | High Risk | Vulnerable |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At an air quality index of 39, New York City, NY and Philadelphia, PA differ by 33%, with Philadelphia’s 52 placing it in the 85th percentile versus New York City’s 30th in 2024 EPA data. The cost of living index (100 = US) stands 96% higher in New York City at 198, compared to Philadelphia’s 101, which sits in the 49th percentile. Median home values follow that gap: $751,700 in New York City versus $232,400 in Philadelphia, a 3.2× difference, with percentiles of 92 and 38 respectively in 2023 Census figures.
Income requirements show the widest split. The comfortable income for a family of 4 is $202,286 in New York City versus $66,372 in Philadelphia, a 3.0× gap, while the comfortable income for a single person is $137,610 compared to $45,151, also 3.0× higher. Both figures place New York City in the 93rd percentile and Philadelphia in the 37th for 2024 data. State and local tax burden runs 5.3 points higher in New York City at 15.9% (99th percentile) versus Philadelphia’s 10.6% (58th percentile). Traffic deaths per 100k are 6.5× higher in Philadelphia at 17, against New York City’s 3, which lands in the 2nd percentile versus Philadelphia’s 53rd.
Other 2023 figures reinforce the pattern. Median household income is $79,713 in New York City versus $60,698 in Philadelphia, a 31% difference. Unemployment runs close at 5.1% and 4.7%, while job growth (YoY) is +6.0% in New York City versus +1.8% in Philadelphia, a 4.2-point gap. Average commute is 40.6 minutes in New York City versus 32 minutes in Philadelphia.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 19890th pctl | 10149th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): New York City, NY 198; Philadelphia, PA 101; New York City is 96% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $751,70092nd pctl | $232,40038th pctl | Median home value: New York City, NY $751,700; Philadelphia, PA $232,400; New York City is 3.2 times higher. |
| Median rent | $1,77984th pctl | $1,32359th pctl | Median rent: New York City, NY $1,779; Philadelphia, PA $1,323; New York City is 34% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $79,71359th pctl | $60,69831st pctl | Median household income: New York City, NY $79,713; Philadelphia, PA $60,698; New York City is 31% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $137,61093rd pctl | $45,15137th pctl | Comfortable income (single): New York City, NY $137,610; Philadelphia, PA $45,151; New York City is 3.0 times higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $202,28693rd pctl | $66,37237th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): New York City, NY $202,286; Philadelphia, PA $66,372; New York City is 3.0 times higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Unaffordable | Affordable | Housing affordability: New York City, NY F; Philadelphia, PA A-; Philadelphia is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Philadelphia needs about
$38,300
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 198 vs 101). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 5.1%91st pctl | 4.7%87th pctl | About the same |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +6.0%99th pctl | +1.8%72nd pctl | Job growth (YoY): New York City, NY +6.0%; Philadelphia, PA +1.8%; New York City is 4.2 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $50,77679th pctl | $37,66949th pctl | Per-capita income: New York City, NY $50,776; Philadelphia, PA $37,669; New York City is 35% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 17.4%75th pctl | 22.0%87th pctl | Poverty rate: New York City, NY 17.4%; Philadelphia, PA 22.0%; Philadelphia is 4.6 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 40.6 min99th pctl | 32 min92nd pctl | Average commute: New York City, NY 40.6 min; Philadelphia, PA 32 min; New York City is 9 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 15.0%70th pctl | 16.4%74th pctl | Work from home: New York City, NY 15.0%; Philadelphia, PA 16.4%; Philadelphia is 1.4 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Stable | Stable | About the same |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 65992nd pctl | 82296th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: New York City, NY 659; Philadelphia, PA 822; Philadelphia is 25% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 2,29683rd pctl | 4,34398th pctl | Property crime per 100k: New York City, NY 2,296; Philadelphia, PA 4,343; Philadelphia is 89% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Rising | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | About the same |
| Traffic safety | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: New York City, NY A+; Philadelphia, PA B-; New York City is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | About the same |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
5 rows not shown (data not available)
5 rows not shown: climate comfort and walkability aren't available for Philadelphia, PA; broadband and local food access aren't available for either place; tap water isn't available for New York City, NY.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | PredatoryState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Taxes: New York City, NY F; Philadelphia, PA C+; Philadelphia is graded higher. |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | A-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | B+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Net exporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 5 mi4th pctl | 4 mi3rd pctl | Nearest large city: New York City, NY 5 mi; Philadelphia, PA 4 mi; New York City is 20% higher. |
| Target proximity | Weak | Fair | Target proximity: New York City, NY C; Philadelphia, PA B-; Philadelphia is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 262 mi36th pctl | 259 mi35th pctl | About the same |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 4 mi5th pctl | 51 mi22nd pctl | Distance to coastline: New York City, NY 4 mi; Philadelphia, PA 51 mi; Philadelphia is 13.8 times higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | High Risk | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202100th pctl | 1,582,432100th pctl | Population: New York City, NY 8,516,202; Philadelphia, PA 1,582,432; New York City is 5.4 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 28,342100th pctl | 11,78199th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): New York City, NY 28,342; Philadelphia, PA 11,781; New York City is 2.4 times higher. |
| Median age | 3850th pctl | 35.126th pctl | Median age: New York City, NY 38; Philadelphia, PA 35.1; New York City is 2.9 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 41.0%68th pctl | 34.6%56th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: New York City, NY 41.0%; Philadelphia, PA 34.6%; New York City is 6.4 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.559th pctl | 2.329th pctl | Average household size: New York City, NY 2.5; Philadelphia, PA 2.3; New York City is 10% larger. |
More about New York City's residents · Philadelphia's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
| Measure | New York CityNew York City, NY | PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Cook PVI | D+22 | D+19 |
| 2024 presidential | D +40.0 pts | D +35.0 pts |
Full politics data: New York City · Philadelphia
Moving between New York City and Philadelphia
- Median rent: $1,779 in New York City, $1,323 in Philadelphia
- Median home value: $751,700 in New York City, $232,400 in Philadelphia
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 198 in New York City, 101 in Philadelphia
- Median household income: $79,713 in New York City, $60,698 in Philadelphia
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $202,286 in New York City, $66,372 in Philadelphia
- Unemployment: 5.1% in New York City, 4.7% in Philadelphia
- Average commute: 40.6 min in New York City, 32 min in Philadelphia
- Violent crime per 100k: 659 in New York City, 822 in Philadelphia
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- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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