Boca Raton FL vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boca Raton
98,833
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 14.6% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 36.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 15.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $60,698 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $37,669 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 22.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 34.6% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 52.3% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 34.5 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Boca Raton. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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