Moving from Boston to Philadelphia?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Boston lifestyle in Philadelphia, you'd need to earn:
$71,075/year
▼ $3,925 less than you make now
| Category | Boston | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $71,075 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$7,251 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,407 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,031 |
| State Tax | -$3,750 | -$2,182 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,399 | $56,205 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -5.2% in Philadelphia
- Housing is -23.8% in Philadelphia
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $1,448/year in taxes in Philadelphia
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~271 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: Boston to Philadelphia
| Your Boston Salary | Philadelphia Equivalent | Difference | Philadelphia Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $37,907 | -$2,093 | $31,333 |
| $50,000 | $47,383 | -$2,617 | $38,656 |
| $60,000 | $56,860 | -$3,140 | $45,980 |
| $75,000 | $71,075 | -$3,925 | $56,205 |
| $100,000 | $94,767 | -$5,233 | $72,145 |
| $150,000 | $142,150 | -$7,850 | $103,549 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Boston and Philadelphia Compare
Housing (24% cheaper in Philadelphia)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia rents for $1,400/month compared to $2,950/month in Boston. Median home prices: $400,000 in Philadelphia vs $825,000 in Boston.
Taxes
Massachusetts has a progressive state income tax from 5.0% to 9.0%. Pennsylvania has a flat 3.1% state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Philadelphia would save you about $1,448/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Philadelphia's overall cost of living is 5.2% lower than Boston, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Boston: 108.3, Philadelphia: 102.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Boston to Philadelphia move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Philadelphia
Average 1BR rent in Philadelphia: $1,400/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →