Philadelphia PA vs Raleigh NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 470,763 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 13.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 39.9% | 27.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 12.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $435,807 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 51.2% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 61.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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