New York City and Philadelphia are two of the most famous cities in the United States. They are both on the East Coast. Besides, millions of people live in these cities. While they have many similarities, they also have some notable differences.
New York City and Philadelphia are indeed unique places to live. They both have a lot to offer in terms of culture, food, and entertainment.
In this blog, I have talked about these two cities. After reading it, you will get clarification on choosing the better one. Let’s continue the explanation of Philadelphia vs. NY or Philly vs. NYC.
The Realtime Scenario
Here’s how these two cities stack up against each other.
New York City has an advantage when it comes to size. So, there’s always something new to explore. And with so many people living in such close quarters, you’re bound to find your niche and make some great friends.
Philly may be smaller, but it more than makes up for its charm. There’s a reason so many people fall in love with this city – it has an indeed je ne sais quoi that you can’t find anywhere else.
From the historic buildings to the friendly locals, there’s just something about Philly that makes it extraordinary.
If you want non-stop excitement and adventure, then New York City is probably your best win. But for a more laid-back vibe where you can get to know your neighbors, Philadelphia might be your speed.
New York City Vs. Philadelphia Prediction
As the two biggest cities in the Northeast, New York City and Philadelphia have a lot to offer visitors. They are both historic cities with a lot of character. Again, they both have great food and nightlife scenes.
In terms of size, New York City indeed has the advantage. It has over 8.85 million residents, while Philadelphia’s population is just over 1.61 million. It means more to do and see in New York City.
New York City also has a more diverse population than Philadelphia. You can see it in the city’s food scene, which offers cuisine worldwide. New York City can find anything from traditional Italian dishes to authentic Chinese food. Philadelphia’s food scene is good. But it is not as diverse as New York City’s.
When it comes to nightlife, both cities have a lot to offer. However, New York City’s clubs are usually more expensive than Philadelphia’s. For a cheaper night out, then Philadelphia might be the better choice.
So, which city is better?
If you want a big city with lots of things to do, go to New York City.
New York Vs. Philadelphia Today
A few key areas are there to come up when comparing New York and Philadelphia.
Of course, there’s the age-old rivalry between the two cities. It often manifests itself in sports rivalries (especially when it comes to baseball). But beyond that, some significant differences make them unique in their ways.
One of the most apparent distinctions is the size of each city.
New York City has a population of over 8.85 million people. Philadelphia, in contrast, has a population of just over 1.61 million. So, NYC is nearly six times as populous as Philly!
This difference is reflected in almost everything about each city – from public transportation to nightlife options.
Another big difference has to do with history.
The Dutch founded New York City in 1624. But Philly was founded by William Penn in 1682 as part of his “holy experiment” for religious tolerance.
It makes NYC nearly 60 years older than Philly!
As a result, NYC has more historical landmarks and sites than Philly, including Times Square, Central Park, and the Empire State Building (a few examples only).
Finally, let’s not forget about the food!
Both cities have their fair share of iconic foods – cheesesteaks in Philly or pizza in NYC. However, New York has more diversity in its culinary scene.
You can find just about any food you could ever want in NYC –from street food worldwide to Michelin-starred dining experiences.
In Philly, you’ll find traditional American fare with some Italian influences (thanks to all those cheesesteaks!).
So, who is the winner?
If you like big cities with lots of people and things to do, then NYC is probably a better fit. Philly might be more your speed for smaller cities with more history and charm preferences.
Philadelphia Vs. New York Living
It is very tough to answer for choosing between Philadelphia and New York City.
Both cities have a lot to offer in terms of culture, food, entertainment, and opportunities.
However, some key differences may make one city more appealing. Here’s a closer look at Philadelphia vs. New York City living:
Cost of Living or Living in Philadelphia vs. NYC
One of the paramount matters to consider when choosing between these two cities is the cost of living. In general, New York City is more expensive than Philadelphia. It is especially true when it comes to housing costs.
According to Numbeo, the monthly rent for an apartment in NYC is $3,500 on average. Alternatively, the average monthly rent for an apartment in Philly is $1,700.
Weather
Another essential factor to consider is the weather.
For warmer weather year-round, Philly might be a better choice. The average high temperature in Philadelphia is 85°F (29°C), while the average high temperature in NYC is 79°F (26°C). However, both cities are good if you don’t mind cold winters and hot summers.
Culture and Entertainment
Both cities are good when it comes to culture and entertainment options. You’ll never find yourself bored in either city, from world-renowned museums and art galleries to Broadway shows and live music venues. Though, NYC has a more diverse range of cultural offerings than Philly.
For a truly cosmopolitan experience, then NYC may be a better choice.
Job Opportunities
NYC has the edge over Philly if you’re looking for job opportunities.
Distance
How far is New York from Philadelphia? Do you want to know?
New York is about 140 miles from Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Vs. New York City Size
Which one is bigger? The answer may surprise you.
NYC is much smaller than Philly when it comes to size.
While NYC spans 304 square miles, Philly takes up 135 square miles more space with a total of 469 square miles. That’s nearly twice the size of NYC!
NYC has the upper hand. With 8.85 million residents, it’s almost double the size of Philly, which has a population of just over 1.61 million people.
So, while NYC may be more densely populated, Philadelphia has more room to spread out. And as far as we’re concerned, that’s a good thing!
Philadelphia Vs. New York Cost of Living
There’s no doubt that living in New York City is expensive.
From the high cost of housing and transportation to the price of necessities like food and clothing, it can be challenging to make ends meet. But how does the cost of living in New York City compare to other major cities around the country?
To get an idea of how NYC stacks up, let’s look at the cost of living in Philadelphia. While Philly isn’t as expensive as New York, it’s still not a cheap place to live. Here’s a breakdown of some necessary expenses:
Housing
The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia is $2200 per month. In New York City, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $3872 per month.
Transportation
A monthly subway passes in Philadelphia costs $204. In New York City, a monthly subway pass costs $127.
However, in terms of the higher cost of gasoline in NYC, overall transportation costs are probably higher in NYC than in Philadelphia.
Food
The average grocery bill for a family in Philadelphia is $600 per month. The average grocery bill for a family of four in New York City is $800 per month. Again, families must budget an extra $200 per month just for the food! So, you can expect to spend even more money on food each month for regular dining at restaurants.
Clothing
Clothing prices vary depending on where you shop and what brands you buy. But overall, clothes are cheaper in Philly than in New York City. For example, a pair of jeans from Levi’s costs about $60 in Philly but close to $100 in NYC.
A dress from the Banana Republic will set you back about $80-$90 regardless of which city you’re shopping in.
Why is Philadelphia Better Than NYC?
There are a lot of reasons why Philadelphia is better than NYC.
For example, Philly is more affordable than New York City. The living cost in Philly is about 15% cheaper than in NYC. It means that you can get more for your money in Philly.
Additionally, Philadelphia has a lower crime rate than New York City. Philly’s crime rate is about 30% lower than NYC’s. It makes Philadelphia a safer place to live.
Another reason why Philadelphia is better than New York City as it is less crowded. About 1.61 million people live in Philadelphia compared to 8.85 million in New York City. So, there is more space to move around in Philly. You don’t need to think about as much traffic and congestion.
Additionally, Philadelphia has more green space per person than any other major city in the US. So, if you like being outdoors, Philly is the place for you!
Finally, Philadelphia has a better overall vibe than NYC. It’s been called the “City of Brotherly Love” for a reason – people here are generally more pleasant and down-to-earth than those in New York City.
Is Philadelphia Cheaper Than New York?
The cost of living in Philadelphia and New York can vary greatly depending on several factors. However, you can check some data to get a general idea of which city is more expensive.
According to the 2016 Cost of Living Index from The Council for Community and Economic Research, NYC is the premium city in the United States, with an index score of 134.2. In contrast, Philly ranks as the 5th most expensive city, scoring 107.4 (7.4% above average).
So based on this data, it appears that New York is more expensive than Philadelphia. Of course, these are just general averages. Additionally, your actual costs will depend on your specific lifestyle and budget. But if you’re looking to save money, Philly may be the better choice over NYC.
Are New Yorkers Moving to Philadelphia?
NYC is a costly place to live. From the high cost of rent to the price of a simple cup of coffee, it can be tough to make ends meet in the Big Apple. As a result, many New Yorkers are looking for cheaper alternatives, and Philadelphia is one of them.
In recent years, many people moved from New York to Philadelphia. According to a report by Realtor.com, Philly was one of the top five cities New Yorkers were moving to in 2018. And it’s not hard to see why.
Compared to New York City, Philadelphia is much more affordable. The cost of living is lower. Also, there are plenty of affordable housing options available. Philly has all the same amenities as NYC but without the high price tag.
So it’s no wonder that so many New Yorkers are making a move to Pennsylvania’s largest city.
How Much Bigger is NYC Than Philly?
NYC is the densest city in the United States, with an estimated 2022 population of 8.85m distributed over a land area of about 302.6 square miles (784 km2).
Philadelphia is the 5th most populous city in the United States, with an estimated 2022 population of 1.61m. It is one of America’s oldest municipalities.
The Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area has 6.23 million people.
NYC is thus more than five times as populous as Philly. However, NYC is only about 2.5 times larger than Philly in terms of landmass.
Conclusion
New York City and Philadelphia are two of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. These two cities have a lot to offer, but they also have their unique charm. So, which city is better?
It depends on your interests. New York City and Philadelphia offer something unique and exciting for tourists of all ages.
I hope this blog turns out to be a helpful resource for you! Thanks for coming here and reading this New York City vs. Philadelphia blog.
