Salary in Philadelphia 2026: Take-Home, Budget, Cost of Living
Take-home at multiple salary levels, 50/30/20 budget, MIT living wage, neighbourhood rents, and top employers. Pennsylvania state tax verified April 2026.
76
COL Index (NYC=100)
$1,600/mo
Median 1BR Rent
$2,456
State Tax ($80K)
$48,000/yr
MIT Living Wage (single)
Your Take-Home in Philadelphia
$
$80,000/yr in Philadelphia
$4,952/mo
take-home after all taxes
Federal + FICA$15,092
Pennsylvania State Tax$2,456
City Tax$3,032
Annual Take-Home$59,420
Is $X a Good Salary in Philadelphia?
| Annual | Take-Home/mo | Rent/Take-Home | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,243 | 49% | Workable |
| $75,000 | $4,687 | 34% | Solid |
| $100,000 | $6,010 | 27% | Excellent |
| $150,000 | $8,604 | 19% | Excellent |
Rent as % of monthly take-home. Under 33%: excellent. Under 40%: solid. Under 50%: workable. Over 50%: tight.
MIT Living Wage, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania)
$48,000/yr
Single adult
$130,000/yr
Family of 4
Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator 2025.
Cost of Living in Philadelphia, PA (Numbeo Q1 2026)
76 / 100
COL Index
vs NYC baseline
71 / 100
Rent Index
residential rents
82 / 100
Groceries Index
vs NYC
$96/mo
Transit Cost
monthly pass or equivalent
Neighbourhoods and Rent Ranges in Philadelphia
Center City ($1,800-3,500), Rittenhouse ($2,000-4,000), Fishtown ($1,500-2,800), South Philly ($1,300-2,200), West Philly ($1,100-2,000)
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index, April 2026. Ranges reflect studio to 2-bedroom.
Top Employers in Philadelphia
Jefferson Health, University of Pennsylvania, Comcast, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PNC Bank
Source: BLS QCEW 2024, company public disclosures.
Philadelphia vs Nearby Cities on $80,000/yr
Philadelphia current
Pennsylvania
$4,952/mo
State tax: $2,456/yr
COL index: 76
Full Philadelphia breakdownWashington DC
District of Columbia
$4,976/mo
State tax: $5,200/yr
COL index: 90
Full Washington DC breakdownPennsylvania state income tax: see full rate breakdown at incometaxbystate.comCost of living by stateAll 25 metros
Philadelphia Salary FAQ
What is a good salary in Philadelphia in 2026?+
A 'good' salary in Philadelphia is one where rent consumes less than 30% of gross monthly income or 33% of take-home. On $80,000 per year in Philadelphia, take-home is determined by federal tax, FICA, and Pennsylvania state tax. Use the calculator above to see exact figures. The MIT Living Wage Calculator (2025) estimates a single adult in Philadelphia needs roughly the living wage figure shown above for a basic comfortable life without savings margin.
How much is rent in Philadelphia?+
The Zillow Observed Rent Index for Philadelphia (April 2026) shows a median 1-bedroom rent in the range listed in the city data above. Rent varies significantly by neighbourhood. Check the neighbourhood notes section for sub-city rent variation.
What is the take-home on $80,000 in Philadelphia?+
On $80,000 per year, a single filer in Philadelphia pays federal income tax plus FICA. Pennsylvania state income tax applies at the rate shown in the calculator above. Use the calculator to see exact take-home for your filing status.
Does Philadelphia have a city income tax?+
Philadelphia charges a city wage tax of approximately 3.79% for residents in 2026. This is in addition to Pennsylvania state income tax of 3.07%.
How does Philadelphia compare to the national average?+
The cost of living index for Philadelphia (Numbeo Q1 2026, NYC=100) is shown in the stats above. A higher index means higher costs than NYC; lower means cheaper. For a direct side-by-side comparison with any other city, use the compare tool linked below.