Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 35.1 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 59.2% | 36.1% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,080 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 34.6% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1613 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 48.5 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 34.5 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Gainesville, FL vs New York, NYGainesville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gainesville, FLGainesville, FL vs Houston, TXGainesville, FL vs Phoenix, AZGainesville, FL vs San Antonio, TX