What It’s Really Like Living in Philadelphia vs Boston

The American dream has a lot to offer, with the option to live in 50 states. Understanding any city’s lifestyle, culture, and characteristics is critical and a must. When thinking of these features, two locations often come to my mind—Boston and Philadelphia. Both offer distinct living experiences in the shape of history, urbanism, and way of life.

Comparing Living in Boston vs Philadelphia

There are so many factors to consider when deciding to live in Boston or Philly. Review the following points of contention before making your final decision of where you decide to live. Trust me, these are what helped me decide when I moved cities and I have never looked back since.

Cost of Living

• Living in Boston requires money and a lot of it (I lived there for a couple of years and Boston will kill your bank for sure). Housing is one of the most expensive with median rents for a one-bedroom going as high as $2,500 a month.

• The City of Brotherly Love is more affordable as housing costs are relatively lower. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,500 a month.

Getting a Job

• Boston is the hub of top-tier educational institutions such as MIT and Harvard. The city is a pioneer in finance, tech, and biotech industries. There’s a large presence of universities and a young crowd has fostered a robust job market.

• Philadelphia has a diverse economy with strengths in healthcare and education. However, the job market can get competitive with residents commuting to New York City for more opportunities.

Neighborhoods

• Boston neighborhoods cater to diverse tastes. From historic brownstones to waterfront views, Boston has it all. However, finding affordable housing in desirable neighborhoods can get challenging.

• Neighborhoods in Philly are distinct. Of course, you want to feel safe where you live. Some parts of Philly have steel bars on the windows for protection. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t live there. Neighborhoods often feel like small communities within the city, even when rough around the edges. Housing all over the city is more accessible.

Community and Lifestyle

• Philadelphia has a more down-to-earth vibe. However, Philly also has unsafe neighborhoods that may make people reconsider living there.
• Boston has a more formal approach to life.

Is Philly Cheaper Than Boston?

Living in Philadelphia is significantly cheaper than living in Boston. You’ll save way more money living in Philly vs Boston. Here is an estimated breakdown of the cost differences:

Housing Costs

• During my research, I found that the median home price in Boston is around $800,000 and can go as high as $1 million in posh neighborhoods. Yikes. If you are tight on money, say goodbye to fancy areas.

• The median home price for a standard Philly home ranges between $250,000 – $400,000. It is clearly more affordable than Boston and several other cities. With the market conditions, this would be a most attractive feature for prospective buyers.

Daily Expenses and Utilities

• Utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, etc are much cheaper in Philadephia.
• Groceries and dining out are more affordable in Philly than in Boston.

Is Moving to Boston A Good Idea?

Boston is a hub of culture and opportunity. Infamous for its educational institutions and fascinating neighborhoods, Boston constantly ranks among some of the most ideal places to live in the U.S.

Opportunities

• Boston is a global hub for research, innovation, and academics.
• Boston offers unparalleled opportunities to grow.

Culture and History

• Neighborhoods like Back Bay offer glimpses into Boston’s architectural heritage.

Is Boston Right for You?

Moving to Boston is a great idea for those who value career growth and education. However, the city’s high cost of living and harsh winters may deter some. It seems like people prefer moving to Boston for the reliable job market.

Should You Move to Philadelphia?

Philadelphia offers a blend of history, culture, and modern amenities. With its diverse neighborhoods, affordable housing, and strong sense of community, Philadelphia is often considered a great place to live.

Very Cheap Living

• Day-to-day expenses are more manageable.
• The city offers a metropolitan lifestyle without breaking the bank.

Thriving Job Market

• Philadelphia offers opportunities in healthcare, finance, and education.
• Philadelphia has a supportive business community.
• The startup scene is flourishing.

Decent Neighborhoods

• Philadelphia offers diverse neighborhoods.
• There is a strong sense of community and neighborhoods have a unique character.

Is Philadephia Right for You?

Moving to Philly is a great idea if you value affordability and community diversity. Philadelphia’s welcoming atmosphere and opportunities make it a city worth considering. 

My business partner has his primary home in Philadelphia. Born and raised in Philly, he values the tight-knit values that the city embedded in him and he hopes to carry on with this legacy with his family sometime. We run our home-buying company in Philadelphia PA to both pay our bills and enjoy where we live.

Testimonials from Philadelphia Residents

One of our clients bought a three-bed home in Philly. They came in from Pittsburgh and had been residing in that home for the last eight years. In their words “Philly felt like home before we even had a home here. The city offered us a better lifestyle, harmonious neighborhood, and a sense of comfort”.

• Family of 4

Another client sold their home in Philadelphia as they got a high-paying job in Boston. For them, moving into a smaller home was a challenge, but they enjoy every moment of it. Their work offers them flexibility and they are just happy to have a work-life balance. 

• Young couple

Our thoughts in working with clients in this buying, selling, and moving process are to ensure that they get what they are looking for without having to jump through hoops. These lifestyle changes that I witnessed through my clients made me realize that choosing cities is solely dependent on what you as an individual desire and the other aspects fall into place at their pace. Sometimes, searching for homes through real estate agents that are local to your area is the best place to start. EXP Advantage is an agency we recommend for many young couples who are preparing to move somewhere where we don’t do business.

Philadelphia is a Better City than Boston

When I moved cities, my choices were between Seattle and San Francisco. I did tons of research, talked to people, and considered several parameters. But ultimately, personal preferences drove my decision. These included family life and job security in my case.
Similarly, Boston and Philly offer their unique attributes that could attract some or deter some. But what’s it like actually living in Boston versus Philadephia does not have a clear winner. As long you have a happy home and feel comfortable, both Boston and Philadelphia could be the better choice.