Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 1,582,432 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,698 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,669 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $65,080 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 52.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 319 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 57.1°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 48.5 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 34.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Grand Island, NE vs New York, NYGrand Island, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Island, NEGrand Island, NE vs Houston, TXGrand Island, NE vs Phoenix, AZGrand Island, NE vs San Antonio, TX