City Comparison
Philadelphia vs Alliance
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alliance scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Philadelphia
Alliance
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alliance is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
39% lower than in Philadelphia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Philadelphia's average rent is
173% higher than Alliance's.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Alliance | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,768 | $647 | +173% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,713 | $1,647 | +65% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Philadelphia offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Alliance delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Philadelphia is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Alliance.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $65,160 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 72,400 idx |
| Household Income | $61,953 | $65,160 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Philadelphia runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Philadelphia comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Philadelphia sees 12 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alliance has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Philadelphia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 14.0/100 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Philadelphia is the larger city
— approximately 195x the population of Alliance.
From a growth perspective, Philadelphia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alliance has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,574,281 | 8,075 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | — |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Philadelphia
Advantages
Average rent remains roughly 15-20% lower than comparable major East Coast markets like New York and Boston.
Home to world-class higher education and healthcare anchor institutions driving stable high-skilled employment.
High walkability and extensive public transit infrastructure via SEPTA make car-free urban living practical.
Vibrant arts, historical architecture, and globally renowned culinary and craft beverage scenes.
Emerging status as a top-tier life sciences and biotechnology venture capital destination ('Cellicon Valley').
Drawbacks
Local wage and business tax structures can present a heavier financial burden compared to surrounding suburbs.
Property crime and localized public safety challenges persist across specific urban neighborhoods.
Public school system performance faces chronic funding and structural hurdles, prompting many families to explore alternatives.
Varying rates of economic mobility leave certain historically underserved neighborhoods behind the city's broader growth.
Post-pandemic economic and job growth recovery has occasionally lagged behind other major U.S. metropolitan regions.
Alliance
Advantages
Cost of living is 9% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 30% lower.
Violent crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, with 0 reported murders in 2024.
High homeownership rate of 75.2%.
Short average commute time of 10.6 minutes.
The Health Care & Social Assistance sector is a major employer in the city.
Drawbacks
Population has been declining slightly in recent years.
Walkability and transit scores are very low, indicating high car dependency.
Limited retail options within the city, requiring travel to nearby Scottsbluff for more extensive shopping.
The overall climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High'.
Drug activity is noted as a concern within the community.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Philadelphia
#512Pennsylvania, USA
51.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,768
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
76.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
Alliance
#193Nebraska, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$647
Avg Salary
$65,160
Cost Index
90
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
14.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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