Cost of Living in Philadelphia for Students

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Philadelphia is one of the most populated cities in Pennsylvania.

Though it is a metropolitan city, it has a lower cost of living. The housing cost is 0% more than the U.S. national average.

Is Philadelphia affordable to live in?

Philadelphia is an affordable city with a plethora of activities to do and see, it also offers affordable homes.

The cost of living in Philadelphia will depend upon your lifestyle, rent, etc.

For more personalized information, use our cost of living calculator to estimate your desired area’s average cost of living.

Before we list the details of the cost of living in Philadelphia, let’s summarize its cost.

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	$20,000 – $70,000 / Year
Accommodation	$700 – $1,871 / Month
Transportation	$136 / Month

Costs of Tuition Fees in Philadelphia

Tuition fees in Philadelphia are expensive in most universities. If you have scholarships, it might help to cover your cost and makes a difference in your cost of living. The tuition fee for studying in Philadelphia will depend on your course and university.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
$20,000 – $70,000 / Year	$30,000 – $70,000 / Year

Student Accommodation Cost

The cost of student accommodation in Philadelphia will vary on the type of location, price, etc. There are various types of accommodation available in Philadelphia. Below is a list of accommodations you can choose to stay studying in Philadelphia:

1. Student Housing

Student housing is designed for the needs of the students. Located off-campus. It is fully furnished, with modern amenities, dedicated maintenance, and utility bills included.

Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are upto 20 miles.

Student Housing	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	$701 – $1,059 / Month

2. Private Apartment

Private apartments for students in Philadelphia are available in many areas. Equipped with modern facilities. They have fully-equipped kitchens, laundry services, common spaces, etc.

Apartment	Price
Private	$1,324 – $1,871 / Month

3. University Halls

University halls offer stay for students all within convenient proximity to academic facilities. These halls provide a dynamic environment with many types of rooms and with limited seats.

University Hall	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	$600 – $1,500 / Month

[Read Also: Top 5 Student Accommodations in Philadephia]

Food

The cost of food in Philadelphia depends on many things. If you like to eat out there are some affordable places to eat, food trucks, etc. But, it’s advisable to cook meals at home.

Utility Bills

Student housing apartments do not have to pay a separate bill for utilities such as electricity, water, and internet. As for university halls, clarify whether utilities are included or not in the rent.

Transportation

Philadelphia offers different types of transportation systems. The city boasts its transport networks of buses, subways, etc operated by the SEPTA. If you want to choose a sustainable way of life and efficient mode of transport, you can cycle to universities, etc.