New York vs Philadelphia: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
New York is 52% more expensive than Philadelphia. New York is 25% safer. New York has more comfortable months (6 vs 6). New York population: 8,584,629. Philadelphia population: 1,574,281.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living: New York vs Philadelphia
Philadelphia is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 125 vs 190 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 65 index points.
| Category | New York | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Index | 190 | 125 |
| Housing | $5,340/moIndex: 300 | $3,293/moIndex: 185 |
| Groceries | $472/moIndex: 115 | $443/moIndex: 108 |
| Transportation | $438/moIndex: 125 | $385/moIndex: 110 |
| Healthcare | $358/moIndex: 112 | $346/moIndex: 108 |
| Utilities | $220/moIndex: 100 | $224/moIndex: 102 |
Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.
Safety: New York vs Philadelphia
New York is 25% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents vs Philadelphia's 26.5. New York earns a B- safety grade compared to Philadelphia's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.
New York
New York
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
| Metric | New York | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 19.8/1K | 26.5/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 380.0 | 750.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1600.0 | 1900.0 |
| Murder Rate | 5.8 | 12.2 |
| Assault Rate | 307.2 | 561.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 78.0 | 121.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 209.6 | 245.4 |
| Theft Rate | 1317.5 | 1445.1 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 222.6 | 266.1 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In New York, you have a 1 in 51 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 38 in Philadelphia.
Climate: New York vs Philadelphia
New York Climate Overview
Philadelphia Climate Overview
Monthly Temperature Comparison
| Metric | New York | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual High | 62.7°F | 64.4°F |
| Avg Annual Low | 47.3°F | 47.9°F |
| Annual Rain | 49.0" | 42.2" |
| Annual Snow | 24.8" | 19.0" |
| Comfortable Months | 6 | 6 |
| Freezing Months | 3 | 3 |
Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but winter temperatures are comparable. New York gets significantly more snow (25" vs 19"). New York is wetter with 49" of annual rain compared to 42".
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
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