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Denver vs Philadelphia: prices, pay and housing
| Denver, CO | Philadelphia, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 105.8 | 102.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $81,690 | $71,730 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $62,320 | $54,310 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $77,225 | $69,944 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $63,413 | $57,090 |
| Typical home value | $573,221 | $390,463 |
| Median household income | $102,339 | $89,273 |
| Home price / household income | 5.6 | 4.4 |
| Metro population | 2,977,085 | 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: Denver to Philadelphia
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Denver to Philadelphia, multiply your salary by 0.969.
| Salary in Denver | Same buying power in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Denver | $48,474 in Philadelphia |
| $75,000 in Denver | $72,711 in Philadelphia |
| $100,000 in Denver | $96,948 in Philadelphia |
| $150,000 in Denver | $145,423 in Philadelphia |
| $200,000 in Denver | $193,897 in Philadelphia |
Salaries for common jobs in Denver and Philadelphia
| Job | Denver | Philadelphia | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $40,800 | $32,250 | $38,570 / $31,447 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,920 | $101,400 | $95,404 / $98,875 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $38,240 | $31,880 | $36,150 / $31,086 |
| General and Operations Managers | $171,600 | $145,650 | $162,220 / $142,023 |
| Retail Salespersons | $41,980 | $36,970 | $39,685 / $36,049 |
| Cashiers | $39,190 | $32,970 | $37,048 / $32,149 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,700 | $43,930 | $45,093 / $42,836 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,510 | $39,140 | $42,077 / $38,165 |
| Office Clerks, General | $57,860 | $48,560 | $54,697 / $47,351 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $51,870 | $41,390 | $49,035 / $40,359 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $52,050 | $49,100 | $49,205 / $47,877 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $42,130 | $39,610 | $39,827 / $38,624 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $52,540 | $50,280 | $49,668 / $49,028 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $66,130 | $62,060 | $62,515 / $60,514 |
| Nursing Assistants | $49,470 | $45,820 | $46,766 / $44,679 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Denver vs Philadelphia: questions
Is Denver more expensive than Philadelphia?
Yes. BEA prices are 105.8 in Denver, CO and 102.6 in Philadelphia, PA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match $100,000 in Denver?
About $96,948, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Denver or Philadelphia?
Denver, CO: 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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