2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Philadelphia, PA vs New Brunswick, NJ

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in New Brunswick or is it cheaper to live in Philadelphia?
- New Brunswick is 19.6% more expensive than Philadelphia.

Which city has more affordable housing, New Brunswick or Philadelphia?
- New Brunswick housing costs are 48.9% more expensive than Philadelphia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Philadelphia or is Health Care more affordable in New Brunswick.
- Health related expenses are 3.2% less in New Brunswick.
 Philadelphia, PANew Brunswick, NJUnited States
 Overall  Unlock124.7100
 Food & Groceries102.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock98.8100
 Housing75.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$349,500$338,100
 Utilities108  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock133.6100
 Miscellaneous109.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Philadelphia    139 Reviews

Philadelphia is a very walkable and fun city to explore (albeit be aware of where not to explore at least at night). The city has beautiful old architecture , great  More

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I’m originally from New York City, then lived in a small city in upstate New York for eight years, then moved down to Philadelphia and have lived here for many years.  More

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Now the only reason some people disagree is because MONEY. If you live in “manayunk” (which I lived for 2 years) you can’t compare … you can’t compare your out skirt  More

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Reviews for New Brunswick    4 Reviews

As an undergrad at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, I have lived here for 4 years -- 2 inside the University dormitories on College Ave Campus and 2 in a rented house  More

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Over 16 years ago

Between the entitled drivers, Jersey manners, and new student drivers, nevermind insane bus drivers and trucks speeding on narrow streets, driving around here will  More

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It is sad to see the city that I was born in 1959 and lived until 1972 decline so. Not only is it overpriced, perhaps because of the university or it being a suburb for  More

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