Living in Philadelphia, PA, known as 'The City of Brotherly Love,' offers a rich historical and cultural experience that is both unique and appealing. Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is a large city known for its significant role in American history. Major nearby cities like New York and Washington, D.C., enhance its status as a central hub in the Mid-Atlantic region. Philadelphia's blend of historical significance and modern amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Philadelphia's landmarks are world-renowned, with the Liberty Bell standing as a symbol of American independence, Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, famous for its 'Rocky Steps.' The city offers numerous attractions, from the Philadelphia Zoo, the oldest zoo in the United States, to the Reading Terminal Market, a bustling hub of culinary delights. Philadelphia's culinary scene is famous for cheesesteaks and a wide variety of international cuisines.
Annual events such as the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Made in America Festival highlight the city's vibrant event scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Philadelphia's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University contribute to the city's academic and cultural richness, attracting scholars and students from around the world and fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Philadelphia is robust and dynamic, with renowned theaters, music venues, and art galleries offering a variety of cultural experiences. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Barnes Foundation are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Philadelphia provides ample opportunities to engage with art, history, and theater, making it an exciting place to call home.
Philadelphia’s community is diverse and welcoming, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), and 76ers (NBA), offering plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Philadelphia include education, healthcare, and finance, with significant employers such as Comcast and Jefferson Health driving economic growth and innovation. Public transit options include SEPTA buses, subways, and regional rail, making it easy for residents to navigate the city.
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a big city with a population of 1,581,531 inhabitants. With a population density of 11,771 people per square mile, Philadelphia is well above the nation's average density level. Individuals of White (39%) and Black or African American (41%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 39% of the Philadelphia population is married. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Philadelphia offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 33 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Philadelphia and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, commute, education, housing and other important metrics.
Using data and statistics Philadelphia has received a livability score of 77/100. This score is ranked in the 92nd percentile when compared to all other cities. Compared to the national average, Philadelphia ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Philadelphia also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Philadelphia has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (B) and housing (A-). On a more negative note, Philadelphia does not have favorable ranks for the following: crime (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Philadelphia, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Philadelphia undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Philadelphia Museum of Art, City Food Tours Philadelphia, and Independence Hall.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Philadelphia apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Philadelphia is real estate affordability. The median home price for Philadelphia homes is $171,600, which is 2.3% higher than the Pennsylvania average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Philadelphia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 12.9% higher than the Pennsylvania average.
Statistic | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | National |
Average one way commute | 33min | 26min | 26min |
Workers who drive to work | 49.5% | 76.5% | 76.4% |
Workers who carpool | 8.2% | 8.5% | 9.3% |
Workers who take public transit | 23.2% | 5.6% | 5.1% |
Workers who bicycle | 2.1% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
Workers who walk | 7.9% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
Working from home | 7.0% | 4.2% | 4.6% |