Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Philadelphia, PA
VS
Yonkers, NY
🏆 Philadelphia leads 14 of 23 categories
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,537
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
Yonkers
New York
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,208 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82 ✓ Safer
Population
209,780
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Homes cost $241k less ($215,500 vs $456,500)
Rent averages $409/mo less ($1,250 vs $1,659)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Yonkers
Smaller class sizes — 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Yonkers by $20,671/yr
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 6.6%)
Yonkers, NY
Pros
66% less violent crime than Philadelphia
Households earn $20,671 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (6.6%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $456,500
Higher rents — median is $1,659/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Philadelphia
Key Differences at a Glance
Philadelphia
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 103.5 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Philadelphia
Median Home Value
$241k less
$215,500 vs $456,500
Philadelphia
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.3°F vs 85.6°F
Yonkers
Median Income
$20,671
$78,208 vs $57,537/yr
Yonkers
Violent Crime
66% lower
311.8 vs 908.7 per 100k
Yonkers
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
6.6% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Yonkers, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $215,500 ✓ Lower | $456,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ Lower | $1,659⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,537 | $78,208 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.8 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 34.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 9.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 230⚠ High | 69 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 239⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.6% | 35.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% ✓ Higher | 83.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Philadelphia City SD | YONKERS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer | 39.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.3°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.7" ✓ Drier | 51.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 16.1" ✓ Less | 32.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger | 209,780 |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 39.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.2% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia's cost of living index is 103.5 vs Yonkers's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Philadelphia is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Philadelphia leads 14 of 23 categories. Philadelphia wins 14 and Yonkers wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Philadelphia to Yonkers or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($215,500 vs $456,500 median home), income ($57,537 vs $78,208), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Philadelphia, PA and Yonkers, NY are about 93 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.