Thinking about the pros and cons of living in Philadelphia? Whether you’re looking to move for school, or work, or just want to get a feel for that quintessential Philly vibe, it’s important to check out both the good and the bad.
While it might be always sunny in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love isn’t without its downsides. From air pollution to a very specific set of industries in the city’s job market, there are some struggles that come with living in Philadelphia.
On the plus side, you can expect amazing historic attractions, a bustling arts scene, and a reasonable cost of living for a major city.
So, with that in mind, let’s dive in and find out more about the pros and cons of living in Philadelphia.
A Quick Overview & Comparison
Pros of Living in Philadelphia | Cons of Living in Philadelphia |
Great history | Crime is higher than the average |
Walkable city | The job market isn’t the best |
Decent cost of living | Winter weather is no joke |
Great art scene | Difficult for drivers |
Good higher education options | The extra wage tax |
Decent public transport | Air pollution is a concern |
The Pros of Living in Philadelphia
1. Great history
From the Liberty Bell to the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed, Philadelphia isn’t short on US historical sites. If you’re a history buff, especially where US history is considered, you’re going to be in your element living in Philadelphia.
With streets that hark back to the beginning of the 17th century, you can literally wander in the footpaths of the US Founding Fathers and appreciate architecture and scenery from throughout the past 300 years!
2. Walkable city
Speaking of wandering around the city, Philadelphia is an incredibly pedestrian-friendly city. This is largely due to the fact that most of central Philly was planned and built during an era where cars were a distant pipe dream, but it’s super cool if you want to explore the city without relying on a car.
As you walk around the city, you’ll also see so much more and be able to visit local businesses along the way which is pretty cool. With so many cities in the US being reliant on cars, it’s great to have a city that’s built for walking!
3. Decent cost of living
At the moment, the cost of living in Philadelphia is around 5% higher than the national average. Considering that Philadelphia is a major city with consistent travel links to cities like New York and Washington D.C., that’s pretty reasonable.
For reference, that puts the average rent at around $1,300 per month which is pretty great for a big city with so much historical and cultural significance. For comparison, DC is currently 39% more expensive than the national average, so Philly is providing a decent cost of living right now.
4. Great art scene
Home to the amazing Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia is a hub for arts and culture. In fact, Philadelphia has the largest collection of public art in the entire US, so if you consider yourself to be a bit of a culture vulture, you’re going to love living in Philadelphia.
If music and performance are more your kinds of thing, Philadelphia is known all over the country for its thriving music scene. There’s pretty much something cool going on every night of the week in this city, so if you’re after cool nightlife, this might be the city for you.
5. Good higher education options
If you’re looking forward to college or university, or you’re a family who’s moving for better in-state higher education, Philadelphia is a great option. With at least 55 colleges and universities in the wider Philadelphia area, if you want to go to school in or around Philly, you have a wide range of options.
From the mighty University of Pennsylvania to La Salle to St. Josephs to Temple, and beyond, there are plenty of places to choose from if you’re looking to get your degree or apply to graduate school!
6. Decent public transport
Philadelphia is definitely pedestrian-friendly, but if you’re short on time or need to get further afield, you can take advantage of the Southern Pennsylvania Transit Authority or SEPTA.
This public transport network is made up of trains, trolleys, subways, and buses, and heads out to the suburbs as well as around the city itself.
It’s one of the most popular ways to get around the city and is pretty reliable. In fact, the network is one of the largest public transport networks in the entire country and even connects to transport in Delaware and New Jersey.
So, you can get pretty much anywhere you want in the Philly area on one of the SEPTA transport options.
The Cons of Living in Philadelphia
7. Crime is higher than the average
One of the biggest and most unavoidable downsides of living in Philadelphia has to be the crime statistics. While these numbers do ultimately depend on the neighborhood that you choose to live in, crime in Philadelphia is consistently high, including violent crime.
Recent statistics have Philadelphians having a 1 in 123 average chance of being a victim of a violent crime. This is compared to 1 in 296 for the wider Pennsylvania stats. However, Philadelphia is ranked as safer than New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Chicago.
8. The job market isn’t the best
So, the job market in Philadelphia is either amazing or pretty bad depending on what industry you work in. If you’re in healthcare or education, you’re going to have a wide range of job opportunities as there are a ton of hospitals and universities around Philadelphia.
Outside of those industries, the job market in Philadelphia isn’t always the best. Although the unemployment rate for Philly is currently at the lowest it’s been since 1990, it’s still around 5%.
By comparison, Baltimore, which is relatively nearby has the 3rd best unemployment rate in the country with just 1.8%.
9. Winter weather is no joke
If you can’t deal with the cold, you’re not going to like Philly winters. As with a lot of cities in the Northeast of America, Philadelphia’s winter temperatures often stay around freezing and it’s common to get over a foot of snow each year.
So, if you’re moving to Philadelphia, make sure you pack all your bulky, warm coats and jumpers, and those all-important snow boots. You’re going to need them for sure!
10. Difficult for drivers
As Philadelphia was pretty much designed for pedestrians and horses, it’ll come as no surprise that it’s not a great city for drivers. With narrow streets, weird road layouts, and a distinct lack of parking in the city center, Philadelphia is probably one of the worst places to be a driver,
When you add in all the extra tourists, the gridlock that rears its ugly head during rush hour, and the many, many roadworks that happen throughout the area, you’re probably better off leaving your car at home and jumping on the SEPTA.
11. The extra wage tax
So, Philadelphia doesn’t just collect income tax from its residents, it also collects an additional city wage tax. This applies to both residents and non-residents who just happen to work in the city.
If you’re a Philadelphia resident, this is an additional 3.75% and if you’re a non-resident but work in the city, it’s 3.44%.
Although the funds raised by these taxes go back into public services in the city, it can feel like another kick in the teeth when it comes to the wide range of taxes we already have to pay each month!
12. Air pollution is a concern
Realistically, Philadelphia is a very crowded city. There’s a huge population and tourist draw to the city, and the city center itself isn’t that big. Combine that with all the backed-up traffic and you have a recipe for poor air quality.
Despite the extensive public transport network and walkability of Philly, there are still a ton of cars and tour buses on the roads in and around the city center that are contributing to one of the poorest air pollution scores in the whole US.
FAQs
Is Philadelphia a good place to live?
Honestly, all things considered, Philadelphia is a pretty good place to live. Like any large US city, crime and traffic are concerns, but with Philly’s wealth of higher education options, arts, culture, and history, it’s a really cool place to live, especially if you’re looking for a walkable city!
Is Philadelphia a walkable city?
Yes, Philadelphia is definitely a walkable city. As the bulk of the city center was built in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was designed more for pedestrians and horses, so it’s still very much a walkable city to this date.
Does it snow in Philadelphia?
Yes, it snows in Philadelphia during the winter months. Like many Northeast US cities, Philadelphia receives around a foot a year in snow. So, be prepared for snowy winter weather with all the correct clothing and snow chains for your car!
Can you live in Philly without a car?
Yes, you can definitely live in Philly without a car. Between walking around the city center and the extensive public transport network, SEPTA, you don’t really need a car. In fact, with all the traffic and limited parking, it might actually be easier to live in Philly without a car.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Philadelphia?
It’s estimated that a single person living in Philadelphia is going to spend around $1,300 per month not including rent. When you add in the average rent for a one-bed outside the city center of another $1,300, you’re looking at around $2,600 per month to live comfortably.
What’s the average salary in Philadelphia?
The average salary in Philadelphia is currently $76,000 per year per year. This is almost half the average salary in Washington DC. However, the lower cost of living in Philadelphia means that this more than meets the average cost of living per month for the city
Is rent expensive in Philadelphia?
For a large US city, rent is pretty inexpensive in Philadelphia. In fact, it’s ranked as the 70th most expensive large city in America when it comes to rent. So, if you want a big city vibe but don’t want to spend a fortune on rent, Philadelphia might be the place for you.