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Boston vs Philadelphia: prices, pay and housing
| Boston, MA | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 108.3 | 102.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $89,620 | $71,730 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $66,620 | $54,310 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $82,778 | $69,944 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $67,717 | $57,090 |
| Typical home value | $741,868 | $390,463 |
| Median household income | $112,484 | $89,273 |
| Home price / household income | 6.6 | 4.4 |
| Metro population | 4,917,661 | 6,241,882 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Boston to Philadelphia
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Boston to Philadelphia, multiply your salary by 0.947.
| Salary in Boston | Same buying power in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Boston | $47,362 in Philadelphia |
| $75,000 in Boston | $71,043 in Philadelphia |
| $100,000 in Boston | $94,724 in Philadelphia |
| $150,000 in Boston | $142,086 in Philadelphia |
| $200,000 in Boston | $189,448 in Philadelphia |
Salaries for common jobs in Boston and Philadelphia
| Job | Boston | Philadelphia | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $42,240 | $32,250 | $39,015 / $31,447 |
| Registered Nurses | $121,820 | $101,400 | $112,519 / $98,875 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,230 | $31,880 | $33,464 / $31,086 |
| General and Operations Managers | $163,800 | $145,650 | $151,294 / $142,023 |
| Retail Salespersons | $40,320 | $36,970 | $37,242 / $36,049 |
| Cashiers | $37,260 | $32,970 | $34,415 / $32,149 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,500 | $43,930 | $42,950 / $42,836 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,620 | $39,140 | $37,519 / $38,165 |
| Office Clerks, General | $52,880 | $48,560 | $48,843 / $47,351 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,340 | $41,390 | $41,878 / $40,359 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,740 | $49,100 | $49,637 / $47,877 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $45,900 | $39,610 | $42,396 / $38,624 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $59,390 | $50,280 | $54,856 / $49,028 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,420 | $62,060 | $59,502 / $60,514 |
| Nursing Assistants | $48,730 | $45,820 | $45,010 / $44,679 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Boston vs Philadelphia: questions
Is Boston more expensive than Philadelphia?
Yes. BEA prices are 108.3 in Boston, MA and 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $100,000 in Boston?
About $94,724, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Boston or Philadelphia?
Boston, MA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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