Philadelphia vs Seattle: cost of living compared
Seattle is 38% more expensive than Philadelphia overall. Seattle (WA) has no state income tax; PA tops out around 3.07%.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving from Philadelphia to Seattle means a substantial increase in overall living expenses. Seattle's cost of living is considerably higher than Philadelphia's, which itself is moderately above the national average. This significant difference is primarily driven by housing costs, which are dramatically more expensive in the Pacific Northwest city, making it the biggest factor in the budget comparison.
Housing
Housing presents the most striking cost difference. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are substantially more expensive in Seattle. Philadelphia offers a more affordable housing market, often characterized by rowhouses and older brick structures. Seattle's housing stock, while diverse, commands much higher prices. Property taxes and insurance costs will also vary, but the initial purchase or rental price gap is immense.
Taxes and everyday costs
Beyond housing, daily expenses also trend higher in Seattle. Food, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services are all more costly compared to Philadelphia. Transportation costs are elevated in both cities, with Seattle being slightly higher. Utilities are roughly comparable. A key financial difference is state income tax; Philadelphia residents pay a state income tax, while Washington state does not levy one.
Lifestyle trade-offs
These cities offer distinct lifestyles. Philadelphia, an East Coast city, experiences all four seasons, including cold winters and hot summers, and has an extensive public transit network. Seattle, on the other hand, is known for its mild, rainy climate and proximity to natural landscapes, with a growing transit system. Philadelphia is a denser, older city, while Seattle has a more modern, tech-driven feel.
Bottom line
A move from Philadelphia to Seattle would necessitate a significantly larger budget, predominantly due to the dramatically higher housing costs in Seattle. While Seattle offers the advantage of no state income tax, this benefit is largely overshadowed by the increased expenses across nearly all other categories, especially housing. Households should prepare for a substantial adjustment in their financial planning.
| Measure | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 112 | 155 |
| Housing index | 91 | 192 |
| Transportation index | 120 | 123 |
| Food index | 105 | 112 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 112 |
| Utilities index | 105 | 105 |
| Misc index | 102 | 118 |
| Median home price | $298,000 | $748,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,550/mo | $2,350/mo |
| Average commute | 34 min | 33 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Seattle home with the True Cost Calculator.