Is Old City Expensive?

Philadelphia, United States

+20% vs Philadelphia avg

Living in Old City, Philadelphia

Old City is one of the pricier neighborhoods in Philadelphia, with a cost of living index of 82.6 — that is +20% compared to the Philadelphia average. It ranks #6 out of 30 areas by cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,860/month, compared to a range of $1,054 in Norristown to $2,092 in Rittenhouse Square.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Old City, housing takes up roughly 49% 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 $74,400 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Old City

Salaries in Old City reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 82.6:

After tax and deductions of 24.7% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $74,400 would be roughly $56,023/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

82.6
COLI Index
1.20x
vs City Avg
$1,860
Est. 1BR Rent
#6
of 30 Areas
24.7%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Old City

Estimated annual deductions on a $61,950 salary in Old City, Philadelphia (local employee).

Income Tax
14%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (PA)
3.07%
Total Deductions: 24.7%
Est. Take-Home: $46,627/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

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

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $61,950
London GBP £53,313
Dubai AED AED 309,985

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 →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in Old City, Philadelphia to maintain your lifestyle.

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Old City:

Bayshore, Tampa Myeongdong, Seoul Turtle Creek, Dallas Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi Torshov, Oslo

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Old City expensive in Philadelphia?

Yes, Old City is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Philadelphia. It costs about +20% more than the city average, ranking #6 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does Old City compare to the Philadelphia average?

The cost of living in Old City is above the Philadelphia average. With a multiplier of 1.20x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +20% 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.