Cost of Living in Philadelphia (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Philadelphia? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, Center City or FishtownUSD 1,500–2,100 / month

One-bed apartment, West or South PhiladelphiaUSD 1,100–1,500 / month

SEPTA monthly passUSD 96 / month

Groceries, one personUSD 350–480 / month

Philadelphia Wage Tax≈3.7% of earned income for residents — check the city's current rate

Good to know

Population

≈1.55 million in the city; ≈6.2 million across the metro

Languages

English; Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese are all significant, with a large West African community

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Time zone

EST (GMT-5); EDT (GMT-4) from mid-March to early November

Power plug

Types A and B, 120 V / 60 Hz

Climate

Humid subtropical — hot humid summers, cold winters with moderate snow, and pleasant long autumns

Driving side

Right

Sales tax

8% in Philadelphia — but clothing and most groceries are exempt statewide

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Philadelphia checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.