Do people commute from Philly to NYC? Yes, people certainly do that.
Even with travel, one can still save approximately $33,000 to $41,000 a year or more by living in Philadelphia.
Are people moving to Philadelphia?
Yes, thousands of people have moved from NYC area to Philadelphia due in large part to cost of living.
With the rise of work-from-home and flex schedules, living in Philadelphia and commuting to NYC has become an increasingly viable option.
Affordability, walkability, more space and easy access to city life is attracting people from more expensive markets to resettle in the Philadelphia area particularly since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and shift to remote work. New York transplants are leading the way” Philadelphia Business Journal.
Do People Commute from Philly to NYC?
Yes. Commuting from Philly to NYC is increasing in popularity and has several options, depending on budget and preferred mode of transportation. We cover virtually all options in this guide.
Even since the pandemic, the new hybrid work schedule of requiring people to be in the office about 3 days a week, has opened up the possibility of commuting from Philadelphia to NYC even more.
Pros of Commuting from Philly to NYC
Here are some of the benefits of commuting:
- Saving considerable money on rent ($33,000 to $41,000 per year)
- Likely to get a salary bump from working for New York Company.
- Savings on food and other lifestyle costs
Cons of Commuting from Philly to NYC
Some of the downsides include:
- travel time. you need to be willing to add considerable extra time to your day
- less time to enjoy the day
Other Considerations
Consider tax payments involved in working in New York and living in Philadelphia. We are not the experts on this but you should consult your accountant.
How to Commute from Philadelphia to New York?
Option 1: Amtrak
This is the most expensive option but perhaps the most comfortable. Take the Amtrak from 30th Street Station (at 30th and JFK in Center City Philadelphia) or Ardmore Station (good option but can be pricier) if you are coming from Northwest Philly or a nearby Main Line suburb. Live near Yardley or Northeast Philadelphia? You can also take the Amtrak from Trenton Station or Princeton Junction.
TRAVEL TIME: ~1 hour 20 min from 30th Street Station + travel time
MONTHLY PRICE: ~$1,000/month from 30th Street Station. **
Main Train Stations: 30th Street Station, Ardmore Station
pro-tip: cheaper if you only need 10 rides per month (check out 10-ride ticket passes)
pro-tip: 30th street station is usually cheaper than leaving from Ardmore Station (and has more times)
Read more about Amtrak Passes.
Option 2: New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit (NJT) is significantly more affordable than Amtrak, but perhaps less luxurious. You can drive to any of the following stations for an easy train ride: Trenton, Hamilton, or Princeton stop.
TRAVEL TIME: ~1 hour 10 minutes from Trenton + travel time
MONTLHY PRICE: ~$475/month unlimited pass (subject to changes). **
Main Train Stations: Trenton (NJ), Hamilton (NJ), Princeton (NJ).
Option 3: Bus Routes
This is the cheapest option where you take a bus straight to NYC. Your options include the Bolt Bus, Greyhound or Megabus. These services usually have convenient schedules at the lowest fares.
TRAVEL TIME: ~2 hours on Megabus from Center City + travel time
MONTHLY PRICE: Contact companies for options
How Much Can I Save By Living in Philly vs New York?
The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in NYC is $6,188 per month. In comparison, the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia is $2,295 per month.
In this scenario, one can save over $46,000 a year by choosing to live in a 2-bedroom apartment in Philly instead of NYC. If you choose to live in a more affordable area of Philly, you can easily save more.
With travel (monthly NJ Transit rail pass of currently ~$5,700 per year), you can still save over $41,000+ a year by living in Philadelphia in a 2 Bedroom. The cost savings are even greater for a 3 bedroom. If you factor in cost of parking and food, there’s likely an additional several thousand dollar in savings.
Even with the luxurious Amtrak monthly pass (~$13,000 a year) – assuming you had to commute every day of the week, one could still save over $33,000 a year by living in Philadelphia.
Where in Philly to Live to Commute to NYC?
There are several factors to consider when picking a Philadelphia Neighborhood, but if you want to minimize your commute time (and be near the trains), University City (or anywhere near 30th Street Station), Northeast Philadelphia (near Trenton Station) or Northwest Philadelphia (near Ardmore Station & 30th Street) areas of Philly are best. Compare the travel route you want to take and decide accordingly.
What else makes Philadelphia so great?
Quaint Original character (many streets are cobblestones in Old city), year-round festivals, cultural sites, amazing greenery, tree-lined streets, history, parks, foodie town, and more are among the reasons people love living in Philadelphia. Everyone’s situation is different. You’ll need to decide what’s best for you.
Summary
Commuting from Philly to NYC is certainly possible and can result in significant cost savings of rent ($33,000 to $41,000 per year). The most luxurious (and expensive) option to commute is Amtrak. To live closest to an Amtrak station, consider towns like Ardmore, University City, Yardley. Another train option is NJ Transit. The closest PA towns to live near to NJ transit are probably Newtown, Yardley, and other Bucks County Suburbs.
Of course do your own research. Hopefully this article gives you a great start.
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(1) NBC Philadelphia and U.S. Census Bureau Study
(2) This was based on a monthly adult pass of $480 or $5,760 per year based on November 2021 pricing. NJ New Jersey transit train pricing is subject to change.
**Check with respective company to verify pricing. Subject to constant changes based on demand, seasonality, and more. These are estimates only. Fees are higher depending on starting and ending destination.
