Philadelphia Finance Guide 2026
Population: Wikipedia (List of United States cities by population); median home price: Redfin/Zillow market data; state income tax: Tax Foundation, 2026.
Explore Finance Topics in Philadelphia
Top-rated banks and credit unions
Best Credit CardsRewards, cashback & travel cards
Best HotelsTop hotels and travel tips
UniversitiesTop universities and student finance
Cost of LivingRent, groceries & living expenses
Income TaxesLocal & state income tax guide
Make Money OnlineSide hustles & remote income ideas
Personal LoansBest personal loan rates and lenders
Real EstateHome prices, trends & market data
Stock TradingInvesting and trading locally
Philadelphia's population of 1,574,281 places it among the a population over a million in Pennsylvania, a detail that directly affects local bank competition and housing supply. Pennsylvania's top income tax rate of 3.1% is on the lower end nationally, giving Philadelphia residents a modest edge over higher-tax states without the tradeoffs of a zero-tax state.
Housing in Philadelphia — roughly $405,000 at the median — lands near the national average, which makes it a reasonably representative market for mortgage comparisons. Every guide below is built around Philadelphia's actual numbers, not a generic national template.