Cost of Living: State College borough, PA vs Philadelphia, PA

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,337/mo in State College borough, PA versus $4,337/mo in Philadelphia, PA. In the model, rent is about 17.91% of gross in State College borough, PA versus 19.29% in Philadelphia, PA, so State College borough, PA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in State College borough, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: above
Take-home in Philadelphia, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: above
Rent share (1BR) in State College borough, PA
17.91%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Philadelphia, PA
19.29%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between State College borough, PA and Philadelphia, PA.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Philadelphia, PA
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): State College borough, PA
  • Lower home prices: Philadelphia, PA
  • Higher median household income: Philadelphia, PA

Cost of Living Index

State College borough, PA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Philadelphia, PA: 95.2 (U.S. = 100)

Philadelphia, PA has a lower cost-of-living index than State College borough, PA, so a given salary generally stretches further there.

Median Rent

State College borough, PA: $1,168/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Philadelphia, PA: $1,257/mo

Median rent in Philadelphia, PA is $89/mo higher than in State College borough, PA.

Median Home Price

State College borough, PA: $414,400 · Philadelphia, PA: $232,400

Median home price in State College borough, PA is $182,000 higher than in Philadelphia, PA.

Median Household Income

State College borough, PA: $47,132 · Philadelphia, PA: $60,698

Philadelphia, PA has a higher median household income than State College borough, PA by $13,566.

State College borough, PA overview · Philadelphia, PA overview · Popular comparisons