In this comparison of Philadelphia, PA, and Tucson, AZ, we will be considering numerous factors that drive the desirability and liveability of these cities, such as crime/safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, and much more. Both cities have unique attributes and challenges, catering to distinct lifestyle preferences, opportunities, and costs.
Distance between
Philadelphia, PA and
Tucson, AZ : 2,053.0 miles
Philadelphia's population is larger by 190%. Its population has grown by 58,701 people (3.9%) since 2000. The population of Tucson has grown by 56,543 people (11.6%) during that time.
Philadelphia, though a big city, has been working to lower its crime rate, and certain areas are considered safe. However, it still has a higher crime rate compared to the national average. Tucson's overall crime rate is also higher than the national average, though safer neighborhoods are existent. It's crucial to research specific neighborhoods in both cities before moving.
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 2,832 registered sex offenders living in Philadelphia and 1,389 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Philadelphia is 554 to 1; the ratio in Tucson is 382 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Philadelphia than in Tucson.
Cost of Living
Living in Philadelphia is relatively more expensive than living in Tucson, as is often the case with larger cities. The cost of housing, transportation, groceries, and health care are all generally higher in Philadelphia.
Income Tax
Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax of 3.07%, while Arizona has a progressive rate ranging from 2.59% to 4.5%.
Property Tax
Philadelphia's property tax rates are higher than those in Tucson, which contributes to the overall cost of living in this city.
Sales Tax
The combined sales tax rate in Philadelphia is 8%, while Tucson boasts a combined rate of 8.7%.
Income
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Estimated median household income
$52,899
$50,306
Estimated per capita income
$32,707
$27,821
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
105.4
90.1
If you make $50,000 in Tucson, you will have to make $58,491 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Philadelphia sits in the Atlantic Coastal Plain with rolling hills and navigable waterways. Tucson is located in the Sonoran Desert surrounded by various mountain ranges, offering great opportunities for outdoor activities.
Philadelphia is home to many excellent higher educational institutions, like the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. Tucson is not far behind, with the renowned University of Arizona located here. Both cities have numerous public and private schools for K-12 education.
Philadelphia's economy is balanced with sectors like healthcare, education, and government employing many residents. Tucson, a smaller city, has a growing economy with a focus on government, education, and healthcare as well.
Biggest Employers
The top employers in Philadelphia are Comcast, University of Pennsylvania, and the City of Philadelphia. Tucson's top employers include the University of Arizona, Raytheon Missile Systems, and the federal government.
There were 1,553 building permits issued in Philadelphia in 2012 (1108 more than in 2011) compared to 1,134 building permits issued in Tucson in 2012 (832 more than in 2011).
In Philadelphia (Philadelphia County), 85.2% voted for Democrats and 14.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Tucson (Pima County), 52.7% voted for Democrats and 45.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Tucson
2020
81.2%
58.4%
17.9%
39.8%
0.9%
1.7%
2016
82.3%
53.3%
15.3%
39.7%
2.4%
7.0%
2012
85.2%
52.7%
14.0%
45.7%
0.8%
1.6%
2008
83.2%
52.4%
16.4%
46.3%
0.4%
1.4%
2004
80.6%
52.7%
19.4%
46.7%
0.0%
0.6%
2000
80.4%
51.4%
18.1%
43.3%
1.5%
5.3%
1996
77.4%
52.2%
16.0%
39.4%
6.6%
8.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Tucson
CATHOLIC CHURCH
24.8%
20.8%
8.8%
7.9%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
3.8%
0.0%
6.7%
0.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.6%
0.0%
3.1%
0.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
2.2%
2.3%
9.9%
10.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.8%
0.8%
3.8%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.9%
3.1%
2.5%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.2%
1.4%
0.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.3%
1.7%
1.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.0%
0.4%
0.5%
1.4%
Weather
Philadelphia offers a full range of seasons, ranging from hot, humid summers to cold, snowy winters. On the other hand, Tucson has a desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. For those sensitive to extreme heat, Philadelphia may be a better choice, while Tucson might be perfect for those who enjoy steady sunshine.
Weather and climate
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Temperature - Average
54.8°F
70°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.9%
38.6%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
34%
46%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
82%
58%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
12%
Precipitation - Yearly average
45.7 in
12 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
45.1 in
2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.4%
32.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
59.8%
92.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
18%
15%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
63%
94%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
45%
79%
Wind speed - Average
10 mph
8.3 mph
Average climate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Average climate in Tucson, Arizona
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Tucson
Philadelphia
Tucson
2018
99
87
0.37
0.19
10.7
8.3
24.3
32.0
N/A
N/A
17.2
29.9
9.2
5.5
0.9
0.1
2017
105
73
0.32
0.18
11.0
8.4
25.3
31.7
0.004
N/A
22.3
32.2
8.9
7.1
1.0
0.1
2016
99
68
0.30
0.21
13.6
7.9
25.1
29.7
0.007
N/A
23.2
25.3
9.5
4.5
1.4
0.1
2015
110
62
0.34
0.21
15.8
8.7
22.6
29.7
0.007
N/A
23.9
25.4
10.5
5.1
1.8
0.2
2014
105
74
0.34
0.19
16.8
10.0
23.1
28.8
0.027
N/A
23.0
28.0
11.7
5.6
2.2
0.2
2013
105
94
0.27
0.17
16.7
10.4
22.5
30.4
0.029
N/A
31.0
30.9
10.5
6.8
1.5
0.2
2012
111
73
0.29
0.20
17.8
11.8
23.0
30.0
0.040
N/A
14.6
31.2
11.7
5.6
1.5
0.2
2011
113
81
0.28
0.22
19.9
11.9
24.3
31.0
0.039
N/A
16.9
29.7
9.8
5.8
1.9
0.3
2010
116
68
0.30
0.29
20.1
10.8
23.0
30.5
0.009
N/A
21.7
25.5
12.2
N/A
2.6
0.5
2009
95
82
0.32
0.25
18.9
11.2
19.7
29.2
0.011
N/A
18.0
31.9
11.9
N/A
2.9
0.5
2008
112
81
0.30
0.29
19.8
12.2
19.1
29.2
0.010
N/A
16.8
32.0
13.9
N/A
3.8
0.9
2007
128
75
0.42
0.37
21.6
13.4
23.3
28.7
0.019
N/A
17.5
27.3
12.3
N/A
4.2
0.9
2006
112
74
0.52
0.41
21.4
15.3
22.5
27.7
0.016
N/A
18.3
17.3
13.1
N/A
4.2
0.6
2005
108
76
0.58
0.43
24.4
15.1
20.8
26.0
0.018
N/A
19.7
17.8
N/A
N/A
5.0
0.7
2004
102
77
0.58
0.49
24.1
15.6
18.9
25.6
0.023
N/A
19.1
14.0
N/A
N/A
5.2
1.2
2003
103
81
0.62
0.57
23.8
17.2
19.7
27.1
0.034
N/A
19.6
19.2
N/A
N/A
5.4
1.2
2002
128
76
0.56
0.56
26.8
16.9
21.2
26.8
0.035
N/A
18.3
19.9
N/A
N/A
4.9
1.0
2001
119
70
0.63
0.55
27.9
16.4
20.0
26.1
0.014
N/A
20.6
23.2
N/A
N/A
5.6
0.8
2000
111
78
0.68
0.50
26.7
16.7
19.0
26.4
0.034
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.5
2.3
Natural disasters
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
96.6%
8.9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
34.4%
1,584.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
22%
13%
Transportation
Philadelphia has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trolleys, subways, and regional rail, which is crucial in a dense city. Tucson, being more spread out, most residents rely on cars for commuting, with some limited public options like buses.
Transport
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Amtrak stations
2
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
347
983
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
14
Means of transportation to work
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Bicycle
2%
1%
Bus
11.7%
1.9%
Carpooled
8.7%
11.5%
Car alone
60%
81.9%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.5%
Railroad
0.7%
0%
Streetcar
4.2%
0%
Subway
2.8%
0%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
7.8%
2.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Average
34.3 min
26 min
Other means
28.2 min
21.6 min
Public transportation
45.6 min
42.5 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.4%
86.3%
In 2 person carpool
10.2%
10.1%
In 3 person carpool
2%
2.5%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.3%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Properties in Philadelphia are generally more expensive than in Tucson, with median home prices exceeding Tucson's. However, Philadelphia offers a wide range of properties from luxury condominiums to suburban homes while Tucson leans towards single-family houses and ranch-style homes.
Neighborhoods
Philadelphia offers a diverse range of neighborhoods from the bustling Center City to quieter suburbs. Tucson leans more suburban overall, but there are some trendy urban areas like the downtown district and the University neighborhood.
Houses and residents
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Houses
733,015
242,816
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.4
Median year apartment built
1953
1979
Median year house/condo built
1947
1978
Length of stay in the house since moving in
16 years
13.2 years
Houses occupied
660,921 (90.2%)
223,068 (91.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
348,935 (52.8%)
114,708 (51.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
311,986 (47.2%)
108,360 (48.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,301
$801.80
Median monthly housing costs
$1,096
$951
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,453
$557,132
Estimated median house or condo value
$220,700
$224,800
Median numbers of rooms
5.5
4.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.2
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.2
5.8
Median house price - detached houses
$292,974
$262,219
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$357,727
$147,793
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$264,854
$125,313
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$442,314
$135,055
Median house price - mobile homes
$163,609
$48,136
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$93,218
$53,411
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$239,791
$210,375
Median house price - All housing units
$256,324
$234,849
Median house age
73
43
Renting percentage
45.9%
48.1%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,426.1
1,247.3
House value disparities
38.4%
32.8%
Household income disparities
49.5%
44.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$86,108
$76,356
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$44,075
$54,612
Housing units without a mortgage
8,484 (4%)
1,087 (1.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
18,029 (8.5%)
2,785 (3.9%)
Housing units with a mortgage
202,880 (96%)
70,054 (98.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
1,280 (0.6%)
211 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
22,966 (10.9%)
4,051 (5.7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
15
11
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
3.7%
1.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
3.3%
0.8%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Philadelphia
Tucson
One, detached
9.9%
53.5%
One, attached
55.9%
8.3%
Two
7.4%
2.5%
3 or 4
6.7%
4.3%
5 to 9
2.8%
5.0%
10 to 19
2.5%
5.6%
20 to 49
3.1%
5.8%
50 or more
11.2%
8.6%
Mobile homes
0.3%
6.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
29,270
14,487
State government workers
16,901
17,981
Unpaid family workers
570
709
Industries and Occupations
Major industries in Philadelphia include healthcare, education, transportation, and financial services. In contrast, Tucson's economy is driven by the defense and aerospace industry, education, tourism, and technology.
Philadelphia has numerous nationally recognized hospitals, including the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. In Tucson, Banner University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center provide top-notch healthcare.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
As an older city, Philadelphia has a more established infrastructure than Tucson, including historic buildings and a developed public transit system. Tucson is more spread out, with a less dense urban core and a more dependent culture on personal vehicles for transportation.
Infrastructure
Type
Philadelphia
Tucson
Hospitals
91
24
TV stations
24
20
Arenas or stadiums
7
2
Bank branches located here
329
159
Bank institutions located here
46
17
Main business address for public companies
47
6
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
1
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Philadelphia
Tucson
1999
3,294
3,131
2000
3,202
1,601
2001
2,480
912
2002
2,012
778
2003
3,268
1,409
2004
4,525
2,041
2005
6,637
2,872
2006
7,517
2,833
2007
5,750
1,601
2008
2,745
714
2009
1,390
386
Culture and Food
Philadelphia has a rich historical and cultural scene, home to iconic American symbols such as the Liberty Bell and Philly cheesesteak. Tucson, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, prides itself on its culinary diversity and heritage.
Sports Teams
Philadelphia boasts a passionate sports culture, home to the Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), 76ers (NBA), and Flyers (NHL). Tucson, while smaller, has a dedicated college sports culture around the University of Arizona.
Philadelphia, PA
Tucson, AZ
