Los Angeles vs Philadelphia
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Philadelphia has an edge
Philadelphia shows stronger fundamentals for buying with a 3-year break-even point.
Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Rent
$2,850/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.5
Property Tax RateBETTER
0.73%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+5.3%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+39.0%
Break-Even Years
13 years
10-Year Wealth Difference
$80,000
Median Home PriceBETTER
$310,000
Median RentBETTER
$1,900/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
13.6
Property Tax Rate
1.54%
Price Change (1Y)
+3.9%
Price Change (5Y)
+22.0%
Break-Even YearsBETTER
3 years
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
+$30,000
Key Differences
Home Prices
Los Angeles's median home price of $770,000 is higher than Philadelphia's $310,000 by 148%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Los Angeles costs $2,850/mo compared to $1,900/mo in Philadelphia—a difference of $950/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Los Angeles favors renting, while Philadelphia favors buying.
Break-Even Timeline
Buying breaks even in 13 years in Los Angeles vs 3 years in Philadelphia.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.