Cost of Living in Philadelphia, PA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,278 (excluding rent), and $2,931 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,212 (excluding rent), and $5,799 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.02 $20.02

$15.01 $15.01

$40.04 $40.04

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$59.0 $59.0

$138 $138

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.84 $11.84

$9.87 $9.87

$14.80 $14.80

Cappuccino

$4.87 $4.87

$2.71 $2.71

$8.93 $8.93

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.63 $2.63

$1.97 $1.97

$4.92 $4.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.00 $2.00

$1.52 $1.52

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.12 $6.12

$4.08 $4.08

$8.16 $8.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.13 $7.13

$5.09 $5.09

$9.16 $9.16

Milk (1 liter)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.07 $1.07

$1.88 $1.88

White Bread (500g)

$4.29 $4.29

$2.27 $2.27

$5.67 $5.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$10.14 $10.14

$3.51 $3.51

$17.63 $17.63

Eggs

$4.30 $4.30

$2.43 $2.43

$6.81 $6.81

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.19 $15.19

$8.83 $8.83

$44.23 $44.23

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.97 $13.97

$8.01 $8.01

$17.87 $17.87

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$21.50 $21.50

$11.12 $11.12

$33.38 $33.38

Apples (1kg)

$6.12 $6.12

$2.22 $2.22

$8.90 $8.90

Banana (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.29 $1.29

$5.24 $5.24

Oranges (1kg)

$5.05 $5.05

$1.63 $1.63

$13.05 $13.05

Tomato (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$1.98 $1.98

$8.89 $8.89

Potato (1kg)

$3.31 $3.31

$0.65 $0.65

$4.35 $4.35

Onion (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.75 $1.75

$4.39 $4.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.95 $1.95

$3.03 $3.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.01 $1.01

$3.04 $3.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.94 $12.94

$12.05 $12.05

$16.07 $16.07

Wine (Bottle)

$14.72 $14.72

$11.78 $11.78

$24.54 $24.54

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.68 $1.68

$2.78 $2.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.08 $4.08

$1.95 $1.95

$5.38 $5.38

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.19 $2.19

$4.87 $4.87

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$96.9 $96.9

$141 $141

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.96 $2.96

$2.66 $2.66

$4.43 $4.43

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.53 $1.53

$3.06 $3.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.24 $22.24

$32.35 $32.35

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 $0.86

$0.75 $0.75

$1.01 $1.01

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.4K $27.4K

$24.0K $24.0K

$37.0K $37.0K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.1K $25.1K

$26.7K $26.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$270 $270

$167 $167

$381 $381

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$62.9 $62.9

$35.26 $35.26

$90.7 $90.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.6 $76.6

$50.3 $50.3

$126 $126

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.85 $47.85

$23.59 $23.59

$98.3 $98.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$31.94 $31.94

$4.91 $4.91

$37.34 $37.34

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$11.80 $11.80

$19.66 $19.66

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,070 $2,070

$1,588 $1,588

$2,349 $2,349

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$43.4K $43.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.5 $51.5

$30.33 $30.33

$75.8 $75.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.79 $42.79

$25.47 $25.47

$66.2 $66.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.4 $94.4

$70.4 $70.4

$126 $126

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$81.5 $81.5

$306 $306

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,788 $1,788

$1,517 $1,517

$2,529 $2,529

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,357 $1,357

$1,094 $1,094

$1,989 $1,989

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,120 $3,120

$2,473 $2,473

$4,452 $4,452

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,266 $2,266

$1,772 $1,772

$3,445 $3,445

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,081 $4,081

$2,918 $2,918

$4,210 $4,210

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,906 $1,906

$1,718 $1,718

$2,473 $2,473

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,378 $4,378

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.68

6.19

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 2, 2026

Philadelphia, PA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Philadelphia, PA - Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia offers a compelling mix of city access and attainable living, with value tipping toward neighborhoods that balance charm with reasonable rents and everyday conveniences. Digital nomads and expats often find it easy to settle in areas with good transit, diverse dining, and plenty of coworking options. Compared with pricier coastal metros, you’ll notice a more forgiving housing tempo and active local scenes that don’t break the bank for short-term stays. Who benefits most? newcomers who prefer walkable cores, students, and professionals who want culture, sports, and cafes within reach. Cost of Living in Philadelphia, PA, United States provides a starting frame for your planning. Tip: Build a simple monthly budget around housing, transit, groceries, and occasional dining to test what fits your rhythm.

Daily life in Philadelphia sings with neighborhood flavor and practical choices. For housing, search around Center City, Graduate Hospital, Fishtown, or University City to balance access and price, and consider older buildings with modern renovations for value. Food options span from farmers markets to diverse, affordable eats; transit is your friend – SEPTA rail and buses make car-free days feasible, and bike lanes expand options. For work, many coworking spaces attract freelancers and teams; errands are easy with nearby groceries and pharmacies in most districts. Philadelphia, PA, United States living cost helps you budget rents, utilities, and transit as you map a routine. Tip: Start by detailing your weekly needs and testing a few neighborhoods on weekend strolls.

Quality of life hinges on finding a rhythm that matches your priorities. A simple budgeting framework like a flexible 50/30/20 approach helps you adapt to rent changes and seasonal costs, while cooking at home and shopping at local markets can trim food expenses. Neighborhood fit matters: riverside communities offer easy recreation, while vibrant quarters deliver nightlife and events; prioritize walkability, safety, and transit access. Embrace seasonality – lighter jackets in spring and energy-conscious cooling in summer can guide your choices for housing with good insulation and a climate-smart layout. Tip: test a few loops around your daily routines to determine the best home base.