Philadelphia, PA vs Boston, MA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Boston, MA is 5.6% more expensive than Philadelphia, PA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Philadelphia works out to about $79,200 in Boston, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 31.2% more in Boston. Goods are 2.9% higher and other services 0.5% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 30.1% higher in Boston.
- Typical asking rent is $2,987 a month in Boston and $1,903 in Philadelphia, $13,008 a year more in Boston (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $726,000 in Boston and $386,000 in Philadelphia.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (6.0%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 31.2% higher in Boston than in Philadelphia
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
All items Philadelphia, PA: 102.6 Boston, MA: 108.3
Goods Philadelphia, PA: 96.8 Boston, MA: 99.7
Housing (rents) Philadelphia, PA: 113.1 Boston, MA: 148.4
Utilities Philadelphia, PA: 114.4 Boston, MA: 148.8
Other services Philadelphia, PA: 103.1 Boston, MA: 103.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.6 | 108.3 |
| Goods | 96.8 | 99.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 113.1 | 148.4 |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 148.8 |
| Other services | 103.1 | 103.6 |
| Category | Philadelphia | Boston | Boston vs Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.6 | 108.3 | +5.6% |
| Goods | 96.8 | 99.7 | +2.9% |
| Housing (rents) | 113.1 | 148.4 | +31.2% |
| Utilities | 114.4 | 148.8 | +30.1% |
| Other services | 103.1 | 103.6 | +0.5% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,903 | $2,987 | +57.0% |
| Typical home value | $386,000 | $726,000 | +88.0% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Philadelphia | $75,000 | $79,200 | +5.6% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Philadelphia and Boston has widened since 2008: 1.3 points then, 5.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.4 | 107.7 |
| 2009 | 107.6 | 106.6 |
| 2010 | 106.3 | 106.3 |
| 2011 | 105.3 | 106.6 |
| 2012 | 103.9 | 106.0 |
| 2013 | 101.8 | 104.3 |
| 2014 | 102.4 | 105.8 |
| 2015 | 102.2 | 106.3 |
| 2016 | 102.5 | 110.1 |
| 2017 | 104.0 | 109.1 |
| 2018 | 103.2 | 110.3 |
| 2019 | 103.7 | 109.9 |
| 2020 | 102.3 | 112.5 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 109.8 |
| 2022 | 100.7 | 112.2 |
| 2023 | 102.4 | 110.4 |
| 2024 | 102.6 | 108.3 |
Goods
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.5 | 97.9 |
| 2009 | 107.4 | 96.9 |
| 2010 | 104.1 | 99.8 |
| 2011 | 106.3 | 101.9 |
| 2012 | 103.0 | 101.8 |
| 2013 | 98.6 | 101.3 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 105.0 |
| 2015 | 100.6 | 102.6 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 104.6 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 104.4 |
| 2018 | 98.4 | 102.8 |
| 2019 | 96.6 | 106.1 |
| 2020 | 94.6 | 108.3 |
| 2021 | 94.3 | 109.9 |
| 2022 | 95.2 | 110.0 |
| 2023 | 98.2 | 100.8 |
| 2024 | 96.8 | 99.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 116.1 | 142.7 |
| 2009 | 120.6 | 146.2 |
| 2010 | 119.1 | 144.2 |
| 2011 | 120.0 | 147.3 |
| 2012 | 119.5 | 144.9 |
| 2013 | 118.0 | 145.7 |
| 2014 | 119.3 | 142.7 |
| 2015 | 117.8 | 144.7 |
| 2016 | 117.4 | 146.6 |
| 2017 | 117.5 | 148.4 |
| 2018 | 117.5 | 146.1 |
| 2019 | 113.3 | 146.4 |
| 2020 | 115.2 | 156.7 |
| 2021 | 114.7 | 147.0 |
| 2022 | 115.8 | 150.2 |
| 2023 | 117.8 | 148.2 |
| 2024 | 113.1 | 148.4 |
Utilities
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.6 | 151.4 |
| 2009 | 113.9 | 143.5 |
| 2010 | 117.3 | 113.2 |
| 2011 | 121.3 | 120.8 |
| 2012 | 120.2 | 130.3 |
| 2013 | 120.0 | 114.4 |
| 2014 | 105.8 | 107.3 |
| 2015 | 102.4 | 114.9 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 133.8 |
| 2017 | 104.8 | 151.4 |
| 2018 | 106.4 | 155.7 |
| 2019 | 108.6 | 155.1 |
| 2020 | 106.1 | 164.3 |
| 2021 | 101.1 | 158.9 |
| 2022 | 108.1 | 154.5 |
| 2023 | 119.4 | 172.2 |
| 2024 | 114.4 | 148.8 |
Other services
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.5 | 105.7 |
| 2009 | 104.0 | 103.7 |
| 2010 | 103.9 | 102.4 |
| 2011 | 100.4 | 101.2 |
| 2012 | 99.9 | 100.2 |
| 2013 | 99.2 | 97.9 |
| 2014 | 101.2 | 99.3 |
| 2015 | 99.4 | 100.8 |
| 2016 | 99.0 | 105.5 |
| 2017 | 103.7 | 103.2 |
| 2018 | 102.5 | 106.3 |
| 2019 | 105.5 | 103.8 |
| 2020 | 104.0 | 104.2 |
| 2021 | 98.3 | 101.1 |
| 2022 | 100.5 | 104.5 |
| 2023 | 100.6 | 106.3 |
| 2024 | 103.1 | 103.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,987 in Boston vs $1,903 in Philadelphia
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,200 | $1,956 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,215 | $2,003 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,217 | $1,986 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,209 | $1,976 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,228 | $2,037 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,251 | $2,077 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,248 | $2,070 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,249 | $2,040 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,271 | $2,126 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,286 | $2,155 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,286 | $2,131 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,287 | $2,121 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,309 | $2,192 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,331 | $2,228 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,328 | $2,204 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,334 | $2,194 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,359 | $2,260 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,385 | $2,300 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,384 | $2,288 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,384 | $2,269 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,412 | $2,341 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,420 | $2,318 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,424 | $2,204 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,425 | $2,133 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,451 | $2,217 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,508 | $2,319 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,549 | $2,388 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,580 | $2,422 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,615 | $2,468 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,658 | $2,579 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,672 | $2,636 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,661 | $2,622 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,683 | $2,675 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,711 | $2,759 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,726 | $2,769 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,722 | $2,764 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,743 | $2,821 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,773 | $2,877 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,782 | $2,852 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,789 | $2,853 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,805 | $2,921 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,824 | $2,955 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,842 | $2,921 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,844 | $2,915 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,864 | $2,978 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,889 | $3,030 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,903 | $2,987 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $726,000 in Boston vs $386,000 in Philadelphia
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $208K | $383K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $209K | $387K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $212K | $394K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $214K | $402K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $215K | $410K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $217K | $416K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $219K | $420K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $222K | $428K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $224K | $436K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $227K | $445K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $228K | $452K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $232K | $458K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $235K | $466K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $237K | $475K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $238K | $481K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $240K | $482K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $243K | $483K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $246K | $487K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $247K | $488K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $250K | $492K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $256K | $500K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $260K | $506K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $263K | $515K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $275K | $537K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $287K | $558K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $298K | $581K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $302K | $586K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $303K | $589K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $316K | $615K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $330K | $643K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $331K | $638K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $331K | $630K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $332K | $628K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $340K | $644K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $347K | $663K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $352K | $674K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $357K | $683K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $363K | $697K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $365K | $703K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $368K | $708K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $371K | $711K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $374K | $710K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $377K | $711K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $379K | $719K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $381K | $723K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $383K | $722K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $386K | $726K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Philadelphia, PA
- Cost of living in Boston, MA
- Reverse: moving from Boston to Philadelphia
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.