Philadelphia PA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 741,440 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 36.1% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 39.9% | 6.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 8.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $871,599 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 44.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 383 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3409 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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