Is Media Expensive?

Philadelphia, United States

-15% vs Philadelphia avg

Living in Media, Philadelphia

Media is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Philadelphia, with a cost of living index of 58.5 — that is -15% compared to the Philadelphia average. Ranked #26 of 30, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,318/month, compared to a range of $1,054 in Norristown to $2,092 in Rittenhouse Square.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Media, housing takes up roughly 35% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 17%, while transportation costs around 9%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $52,700 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Media

Salaries in Media reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 58.5:

After tax and deductions of 22.2% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $52,700 would be roughly $41,001/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

58.5
COLI Index
0.85x
vs City Avg
$1,318
Est. 1BR Rent
#26
of 30 Areas
22.2%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Media

Estimated annual deductions on a $43,875 salary in Media, Philadelphia (local employee).

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (PA)
3.07%
Total Deductions: 22.2%
Est. Take-Home: $34,139/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Media would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $43,875
London GBP £37,758
Dubai AED AED 219,541

Other Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Rittenhouse Square 92.9 1.35x +35%
Society Hill 88.1 1.28x +28%
Center City 86.0 1.25x +25%
Fitler Square 83.9 1.22x +22%
Bryn Mawr (Main Line) 83.9 1.22x +22%

View all 30 neighborhoods in Philadelphia →

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Media:

Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv Irving Park, Chicago Yangcheon, Seoul Unterföhring, Munich Karrinyup, Perth Whittier, Minneapolis

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Media expensive in Philadelphia?

Media is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Philadelphia. It costs about -15% less than the city average, ranking #26 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does Media compare to the Philadelphia average?

The cost of living in Media is below the Philadelphia average. With a multiplier of 0.85x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.