Philadelphia PA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Washington
13.3%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 672,079 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 13.3% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 39.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 11.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $580,173 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 41.1% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 32.8 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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