Rent vs Buy Calculator for Philadelphia, PA
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Philadelphia's price-to-rent ratio is 16.4 — in the neutral zone where the decision depends on your timeline and priorities. Median rent is $1,350/mo vs a $265,000 purchase price.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Philadelphia local data
How Philadelphia Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Philadelphia stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $265,000 | $420,800 | -37.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,350 | $1,713 | -21.2% |
| Median Household Income | $54,800 | $74,580 | -26.5% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.40% | 1.10% | +27.3% |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 100 | +1.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Philadelphia Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 6,250,000
- Unemployment
- 4.4%
- Avg Commute
- 30 min
- Median Age
- 34.8
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 16.4x
- Annual Property Tax
- $3,710
Rent vs Buy Calculator in Other Pennsylvania Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Philadelphia
What is the median home price in Philadelphia, PA?
The median home price in Philadelphia is $265,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Philadelphia?
Median monthly rent in Philadelphia is $1,350. That works out to $16,200/year, or 30% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Philadelphia affordable?
Philadelphia's cost of living index is 101 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $54,800/year and a median home price of $265,000, the price-to-income ratio is 4.8x. Philadelphia falls in the middle of the affordability spectrum for US cities.
What is the property tax rate in Philadelphia?
The effective property tax rate in Philadelphia is 1.40% of assessed value. On the median home of $265,000, that's roughly $3,710/year ($309/month).