City comparison
Boston vs Philadelphia
Boston scores higher on salary; Philadelphia has a lower cost of living. Compare Boston and Philadelphia on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.
Overall verdict
Boston scores higher overall
Philadelphia would cost you meaningfully more to live in
How they compare
If you want to save more
BostonOverall fitPhiladelphia
66 / 61+5 Boston
BostonSavingsPhiladelphia
60 / 57+3 Boston
BostonCareerPhiladelphia
90 / 67+23 Boston
BostonLow pressurePhiladelphia
59 / 67+8 Philadelphia
If you want career growth
BostonOverall fitPhiladelphia
78 / 65+13 Boston
BostonSavingsPhiladelphia
60 / 57+3 Boston
BostonCareerPhiladelphia
90 / 67+23 Boston
BostonLow pressurePhiladelphia
59 / 67+8 Philadelphia
If you want better balance
BostonOverall fitPhiladelphia
70 / 65+5 Boston
BostonSavingsPhiladelphia
60 / 57+3 Boston
BostonCareerPhiladelphia
90 / 67+23 Boston
BostonLow pressurePhiladelphia
59 / 67+8 Philadelphia
Financial impact: moving from Boston to Philadelphia
Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.
-$892
Monthly
-$10,704
1 year
-$32,112
3 years
Moving from Boston to Philadelphia: trade-offs
You lose
−-$892/mo estimated net reduction — $10,704 over the first year
−Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
Philadelphia
USSalary index
66
Cost index
58
Rent pressure
33
Opportunity
68
Get a personalised verdict for your salary
The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.
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Also see: Philadelphia vs Boston →