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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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PhiladelphiavsBoston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Philadelphia to Boston will cost approximately $366,715 more on median home prices (89.1% higher). Monthly rent is $1,528 more expensive in Boston. Median income is 36.8% higher in Boston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
89.1% more
Rent
89.1% more
View PhiladelphiaView Boston
Boston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Philadelphia, PA

Median Home Price$411,714
Monthly Rent$1,715
Median Income$73,501
Population1,567,442
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Destination

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$778,429+89.1%
Monthly Rent
$3,243+89.1%
Median Income
$100,532+36.8%
Population669,469
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Philadelphia

2015$1,205
2020$1,387
2025$1,715

Boston

2015$2,273
2020$2,347
2025$3,243

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Boston.

Philadelphia

Housing$8,403
Food$5,970
Transport$12,671
Healthcare$8,979
Total$45,286

Boston

Housing$16,490
Food$7,343
Transport$12,320
Healthcare$8,876
Total$63,621
Costs

Key Insights

89.1%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Boston
$1,528
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
36.8%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Philadelphia

Population1,567,442
Median Age34.1 yrs
Violent Crime Rate282 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1246 per 100k

Boston

Population669,469
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate301 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1000 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Philadelphia

282
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1246
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Boston

301
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1000
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is 89.1% cheaper for housing than Boston. The median home price in Philadelphia is $411,714 compared to $778,429 in Boston.

What is the rent difference between Philadelphia and Boston?

Monthly rent in Boston averages $3,243, while Philadelphia averages $1,715. That's a difference of $1,528 per month, or $18,336 annually.

How do incomes compare between Philadelphia and Boston?

The median household income in Boston is $100,532, which is 36.8% higher than Philadelphia's median of $73,501.

Which city is safer: Philadelphia or Boston?

Philadelphia has a violent crime rate of 282 per 100k residents, while Boston has 301 per 100k. Philadelphia is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

Popular Comparisons

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