Philadelphia is one of the most underrated cities on the East Coast. It combines walkability, culture, and history with significantly lower costs than NYC, DC, or Boston. Whether you're relocating for work, school, or a fresh start, here's your complete guide.
Why Philadelphia?
Philadelphia Highlights
Cost of Living
Philadelphia is remarkably affordable for a major East Coast city:
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Compared to NYC, expect to save $1,000-2,000/month on similar lifestyle.
Choosing a Neighborhood
Philadelphia's neighborhoods each have distinct personalities. Here's a quick overview:
Neighborhood Quick Guide
Complete neighborhood guide by budget →
Getting Around
SEPTA (Public Transit)
Philadelphia's public transit system includes subway, trolleys, buses, and regional rail:
SEPTA Overview
Driving & Parking
- Street parking — Free in many neighborhoods, permits required in others
- PPA (Philadelphia Parking Authority) — Meters in Center City, they are strict
- Car not needed — Most of Center City and nearby neighborhoods are walkable
Biking
Philly is very bike-friendly with protected lanes and Indego bike share ($17/month).
Setting Up Utilities
Utility Setup Checklist
- PECO (Electric)peco.com
- PGW (Gas)pgworks.com
- Philadelphia Water Deptwater.phila.gov
- Comcast/Xfinity (Internet)xfinity.com
- Verizon Fios (Internet)verizon.com
Many landlords include water in rent. Ask before setting up.
Philadelphia Taxes
Important: Philadelphia has a city wage tax on all income earned by residents:
Philadelphia Wage Tax
- Resident rate: 3.75% (on all income)
- Non-resident rate: 3.44% (on Philly-earned income only)
- This is on top of PA state income tax (3.07%)
Factor this into your budget—it's automatically withheld from paychecks.
Relocation Checklist
Before You Move
- Research neighborhoods (use our guide)
- Set a realistic budget (rent, utilities, wage tax)
- Start apartment search 4-6 weeks before move
- Gather documents (ID, pay stubs, bank statements)
- Check building violations on StreetSmart
First Week
- Set up utilities (PECO, PGW, internet)
- Get SEPTA Key card for transit
- Register your car / get PA license (60 days to switch)
- Find your local grocery stores
- Explore the neighborhood on foot
First Month
- Register to vote in Philadelphia
- Update address with USPS, bank, etc.
- Get a library card (Free Library of Philadelphia)
- Explore different neighborhoods
- Try the cheesesteaks (Pat's vs Geno's debate)
Apartment Hunting Remotely
If you're moving from out of state:
- Virtual tours — Most landlords offer video walkthroughs
- Research buildings online — Check violations on StreetSmart
- Plan a scouting trip — Even 2-3 days helps immensely
- Temporary housing — Consider a month-to-month or sublet first
- Be ready to act — Have documents ready, Philly moves slower than NYC but good places still go
Resources
- StreetSmart — Free building lookup
- SEPTA — Transit schedules and Key card
- PECO — Electric utility
- PGW — Gas utility
- City of Philadelphia — Official city services