City Comparison · 2026
New York City vs Philadelphia
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in New York City = $62k in Philadelphia
Metric
New York City
Philadelphia
COL Index
2.13
✓1.33
1BR Monthly Rent
$3,500/mo
✓$1,800/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$4,500/mo
✓$2,300/mo
State Income Tax
NY
PA
$100k Take-Home
$73,522
✓$75,666
$100k Effective Rate
26.48%
✓24.33%
$100k Savings Potential
$31,522
✓$54,066
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | New York City NY | Philadelphia PA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,420 $3,952/mo · 20.97% eff. | $48,406 $4,034/mo · 19.32% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,522 $6,127/mo · 26.48% eff. | $75,666 $6,306/mo · 24.33% eff. |
| $150,000 | $104,939 $8,745/mo · 30.04% eff. | $108,673 $9,056/mo · 27.55% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Philadelphia cheaper to live in?
New York City has a cost-of-living index of 2.13 while Philadelphia is 1.33 (1.00 = US average). Philadelphia is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in New York City is $3,500/month vs $1,800/month in Philadelphia.
How much more do you need to earn in New York City vs Philadelphia?
$100k in New York City = $62k in Philadelphia. Cost of living in Philadelphia is lower by 37.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — New York City or Philadelphia?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,522 in NY (New York City) and $75,666 in PA (Philadelphia). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $31,522 in New York City vs $54,066 in Philadelphia.
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