Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 14.6% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 36.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 15.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $60,698 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $37,669 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 8.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 22.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 52.3% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 48.5 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 34.5 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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