Both Philadelphia and Seattle offer unique environments with diverse opportunities, historical sights, and cultural experiences. However, there are significant differences between these two cities based on a variety of critical factors including crime, weather conditions, cost of living, education standards, economic opportunities, supporting infrastructure, job market, housing market, neighborhood density, transportation, taxation, cultural scene, sports teams, geographical conditions, and healthcare facilities. Here, we provide a comprehensive comparison between the two cities, enumerating the advantages and drawbacks of each, based on the aforementioned categories.
Distance between
Philadelphia, PA and
Seattle, WA : 2,372.4 miles
Philadelphia's population is larger by 115%. Its population has grown by 58,701 people (3.9%) since 2000. The population of Seattle has grown by 170,545 people (30.3%) during that time.
Regarding crime rates, both Philadelphia and Seattle struggle with crime, but to varying degrees. Crime rate is generally higher in Philadelphia than in Seattle, especially in terms of violent crimes. However, Seattle's property crime rate is above the national average. Both cities' law enforcement agencies work to reduce these rates and promote safer communities. Safety concerns should influence choice of neighborhoods for both residents and visitors.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 2,776 registered sex offenders living in Philadelphia and 481 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Philadelphia is 565 to 1; the ratio in Seattle is 1,464 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is much larger in Philadelphia than that in Seattle.
Cost of Living
Living costs in Seattle are relatively higher than in Philadelphia. This disparity is most evident in housing prices. Costs of utilities, healthcare, groceries, and transportation are also significantly higher in Seattle. Philadelphia, however, has higher taxes which can somewhat balance the cost of living difference.
Income Tax
Seattle doesn't collect income tax, which is a relief for many residents. Philadelphia, however, has a city-specific income tax in addition to Pennsylvania's state income tax. This could be a significant factor to consider when deciding between the two cities.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Philadelphia are generally lower than in Seattle. Seattle's higher property taxes are consistent with its generally higher cost of living.
Sales Tax
Seattle residents face a considerably higher sales tax than those in Philadelphia due to the lack of state income tax in Washington. Philadelphia residents face both city and state sales tax, but the overall rate is lower.
Income
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Estimated median household income
$52,899
$110,781
Estimated per capita income
$32,707
$74,733
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
105.4
118.5
If you make $50,000 in Philadelphia, you will have to make $56,214 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Philadelphia is relatively flat, with low-lying areas near the Delaware River. Seattle, on the other hand, is hilly, offering views of mountains and bodies of water from many areas. Seattle's geographical conditions also enable more outdoor recreational activities.
Both Philadelphia and Seattle boast strong educational institutions. Philadelphia is home to top-tier institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Seattle is also renowned for its education sector, hosting the University of Washington, among others. Both cities have ample opportunities for high-quality education.
Seattle has a higher median household income compared to Philadelphia. The key industries in Seattle include tech, healthcare, and manufacturing. Philadelphia's economy is diverse, dominated by sectors such as healthcare, education, and financial services. Both cities offer numerous employment opportunities, but job growth rate is higher in Seattle.
Biggest Employers
In Philadelphia, the largest employers are the federal and city government, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Seattle, on the other hand, is home to tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, which provide numerous jobs.
There were 1,553 building permits issued in Philadelphia in 2012 (1108 more than in 2011) compared to 264 building permits issued in Seattle in 2012 (52 less than in 2011).
In Philadelphia (Philadelphia County), 85.2% voted for Democrats and 14.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Seattle (King County), 69.0% voted for Democrats and 28.5% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
2020
81.2%
75.1%
17.9%
22.3%
0.9%
2.6%
2016
82.3%
70.0%
15.3%
21.1%
2.4%
8.9%
2012
85.2%
69.0%
14.0%
28.5%
0.8%
2.5%
2008
83.2%
70.2%
16.4%
28.1%
0.4%
1.7%
2004
80.6%
65.1%
19.4%
33.8%
0.0%
1.1%
2000
80.4%
60.3%
18.1%
34.5%
1.5%
5.2%
1996
77.4%
56.4%
16.0%
31.4%
6.6%
12.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
CATHOLIC CHURCH
24.8%
14.4%
8.8%
4.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
3.8%
0.6%
6.7%
2.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.6%
0.6%
3.1%
1.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
2.2%
0.3%
9.9%
3.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.8%
3.8%
2.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
1.3%
3.1%
4.7%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.1%
1.4%
0.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.6%
1.7%
2.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.5%
0.5%
2.0%
Weather
Philadelphia features a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mildly cold winters. It seldom experiences heavy snowfall. Seattle, on the other hand, has a temperate oceanic climate, boasting mild, damp winters and warm, relatively dry summers. The city is notorious for its cloudy and rainy weather, particularly from November through March.
Weather and climate
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Temperature - Average
54.8°F
52.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.9%
78.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
45.7 in
36.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
45.1 in
21.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.4%
11.6%
Sunshine amount - Average
59.8%
49.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
18%
44%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
63%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
45%
20%
Wind speed - Average
10 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Average climate in Seattle, Washington
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
Philadelphia
Seattle
2018
99
82
0.37
0.21
10.7
10.6
24.3
20.7
N/A
N/A
17.2
N/A
9.2
8.3
0.9
0.7
2017
105
92
0.32
0.23
11.0
11.1
25.3
21.0
0.004
N/A
22.3
N/A
8.9
8.8
1.0
0.3
2016
99
67
0.30
0.22
13.6
11.9
25.1
20.3
0.007
N/A
23.2
N/A
9.5
6.6
1.4
0.6
2015
110
81
0.34
0.23
15.8
10.8
22.6
19.3
0.007
N/A
23.9
N/A
10.5
8.5
1.8
0.8
2014
105
75
0.34
0.24
16.8
11.5
23.1
19.5
0.027
N/A
23.0
N/A
11.7
7.4
2.2
N/A
2013
105
81
0.27
0.24
16.7
N/A
22.5
17.4
0.029
N/A
31.0
N/A
10.5
9.1
1.5
0.8
2012
111
77
0.29
0.23
17.8
N/A
23.0
19.5
0.040
N/A
14.6
N/A
11.7
7.7
1.5
1.0
2011
113
72
0.28
0.24
19.9
N/A
24.3
18.6
0.039
N/A
16.9
N/A
9.8
7.5
1.9
1.1
2010
116
71
0.30
0.24
20.1
N/A
23.0
18.0
0.009
N/A
21.7
N/A
12.2
6.7
2.6
1.1
2009
95
94
0.32
0.27
18.9
N/A
19.7
17.7
0.011
N/A
18.0
N/A
11.9
8.0
2.9
1.4
2008
112
80
0.30
0.30
19.8
N/A
19.1
17.8
0.010
N/A
16.8
N/A
13.9
6.5
3.8
1.3
2007
128
83
0.42
0.30
21.6
N/A
23.3
18.2
0.019
N/A
17.5
20.3
12.3
7.9
4.2
1.5
2006
112
98
0.52
N/A
21.4
N/A
22.5
18.3
0.016
N/A
18.3
22.6
13.1
8.7
4.2
N/A
2005
108
101
0.58
0.80
24.4
18.3
20.8
N/A
0.018
N/A
19.7
24.5
N/A
9.5
5.0
3.5
2004
102
102
0.58
0.81
24.1
17.9
18.9
N/A
0.023
N/A
19.1
N/A
N/A
10.3
5.2
3.0
2003
103
91
0.62
0.78
23.8
18.5
19.7
N/A
0.034
N/A
19.6
N/A
N/A
9.9
5.4
2.4
2002
128
87
0.56
0.82
26.8
19.3
21.2
N/A
0.035
N/A
18.3
N/A
N/A
11.7
4.9
2.7
2001
119
88
0.63
0.90
27.9
20.7
20.0
N/A
0.014
0.005
20.6
N/A
N/A
12.3
5.6
3.7
2000
111
98
0.68
1.06
26.7
20.9
19.0
N/A
0.034
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.3
5.5
3.2
Natural disasters
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
96.6%
5.5%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
34.4%
1,394.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
22%
30%
Transportation
While Seattle offers better commuting solutions with its extensive public transit and bike-friendly policies, Philadelphia offers more effective solutions for drivers, with less traffic congestion and parking issues. Both cities strongly support "green" commuting methods.
Transport
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Amtrak stations
2
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
347
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
2
Means of transportation to work
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Bicycle
2%
2.1%
Bus
11.7%
8.9%
Carpooled
8.7%
8.7%
Car alone
60%
67.8%
Ferryboat
0%
0.7%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.3%
Railroad
0.7%
1.2%
Streetcar
4.2%
0.3%
Subway
2.8%
0.6%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
7.8%
8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Average
34.3 min
35 min
Other means
28.2 min
23.5 min
Public transportation
45.6 min
35.6 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.4%
89%
In 2 person carpool
10.2%
8.7%
In 3 person carpool
2%
0.8%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.2%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
1.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in Seattle is hotter and more expensive compared to Philadelphia, with high demand and low supply driving up prices. Philadelphia's market offers more affordability and diversity, though there are expensive neighborhoods as well.
Neighborhoods
Both cities offer diverse neighborhoods. Philadelphia's historic neighborhoods like Old City offer unique charm, while neighborhoods in Northwest Seattle offer beautiful views. Both cities offer urban and suburban living options.
Houses and residents
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Houses
733,015
384,799
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.1
Median year apartment built
1953
1987
Median year house/condo built
1947
1955
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16 years
12.4 years
Houses occupied
660,921 (90.2%)
351,650 (91.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
348,935 (52.8%)
161,587 (46%)
Houses occupied by renters
311,986 (47.2%)
190,063 (54%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,301
$2,780
Median monthly housing costs
$1,096
$1,984
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,453
$860,506
Estimated median house or condo value
$220,700
$848,100
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
4.1
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$292,974
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$357,727
$764,579
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$264,854
$719,049
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$442,314
$626,370
Median house price - mobile homes
$163,609
$226,727
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$93,218
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$239,791
$925,507
Median house price - All housing units
$256,324
Over $1,000,000
Median house age
73
47
Renting percentage
45.9%
51.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,426.1
4,587.9
House value disparities
38.4%
20.6%
Household income disparities
49.5%
42.2%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$86,108
$189,767
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$44,075
$112,771
Housing units without a mortgage
8,484 (4%)
2,459 (2.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
18,029 (8.5%)
12,354 (10.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
202,880 (96%)
115,481 (97.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
1,280 (0.6%)
240 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
22,966 (10.9%)
13,881 (11.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
15
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
3.7%
2.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
3.3%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Philadelphia
Seattle
One, detached
9.9%
39.6%
One, attached
55.9%
6.0%
Two
7.4%
2.0%
3 or 4
6.7%
3.2%
5 to 9
2.8%
5.7%
10 to 19
2.5%
7.0%
20 to 49
3.1%
11.9%
50 or more
11.2%
24.4%
Mobile homes
0.3%
0.1%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
29,270
24,994
State government workers
16,901
27,235
Unpaid family workers
570
947
Industries and Occupations
Seattle's economy is highly influenced by the technology industry, with many employees working for companies like Amazon and Microsoft. In contrast, Philadelphia's largest sectors are education and health services, closely followed by trade and transportation.
Both Philadelphia and Seattle offer excellent healthcare facilities. Philadelphia houses renowned hospitals like the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Jefferson Health. Seattle boasts quality healthcare centers like the University of Washington Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Seattle's infrastructure supports its booming tech sector, with extensive tech infrastructure. Philadelphia's infrastructure supports its expansive historical, healthcare, and educational sectors. Both cities are investing in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
Infrastructure
Type
Philadelphia
Seattle
Hospitals
91
22
TV stations
24
17
Arenas or stadiums
7
5
Bank branches located here
329
236
Bank institutions located here
46
37
Main business address for public companies
47
54
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
1
3
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Philadelphia
Seattle
1999
3,294
1,357
2000
3,202
1,148
2001
2,480
890
2002
2,012
840
2003
3,268
1,421
2004
4,525
1,810
2005
6,637
2,341
2006
7,517
2,789
2007
5,750
2,273
2008
2,745
1,113
2009
1,390
748
Culture and Food
Philadelphia is famous for its rich history, museums, and food scene especially around its iconic dish, the Philadelphia cheesesteak. Seattle is known for its vibrant arts scene, coffee culture, and fresh seafood. Both cities offer a rich mix of culinary and cultural experiences.
Sports Teams
Both cities have passionate sport cultures. Philadelphia is home to the Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), 76ers (NBA), and Flyers (NHL). Seattle houses the Seahawks (NFL), Mariners (MLB), Storm (WNBA), and newly-formed Kraken (NHL).
Philadelphia, PA
Seattle, WA
Philadelphia, PA and 
Seattle, WA : 2,372.4 miles
