Philadelphia PA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 119,508 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.2 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 36.1% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 39.9% | 31.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 2.5% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $399,650 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 50.2% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 324 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 75.4°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 62.3 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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