Article Overview: Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

If you’re looking to make a move to one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia you’ve come to the right place! I’ve bounced around the city quite a bit myself over the years and now know it inside and out.

Philadelphia isn’t for everyone but I’d say there’s a place here for a lot of folks. While I have my personal favorite neighborhoods in Philadelphia to live in, this list is based on more than just a gut feeling.

For this list of the best neighborhoods to live in Philadelphia, I’ve ranked neighborhoods based on a number of criteria and included important statistics along with other factors for each including:

• Median Age
• Median Home Price
• Median Household Income
• Walkability
• Affordability
• Beauty & Parks
• Schools

Note: This list is regularly updated based on changing statistics and comments from you. Your feedback directly impacts this article so please drop us a comment and let us know what you think!

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

The Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

Top 15 Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

15. Yorktown

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Temple University students, quiet, residential, easy access to city center

Let’s kick off our list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia with one perfect for college students, particularly those attending Temple University. Yorktown is a well-situated neighborhood located just 2 miles north of the city center full of youth.

Depending on where you live in the neighborhood, Temple University is at most a 10 minute walk. There isn’t much of a restaurant scene here and while there are plenty of trees there isn’t too much by the way of scenery or parks.

Despite Yorktown being so close to the university it’s a quieter neighborhood without much hubub. One major pro of living here is that Yorktown is one of the most affordable spots on our list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

14. Grays Ferry

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Affordability, location

Situated on the Schuylkill River 2 miles south of city center, Grays Ferry has long been described as an up and coming neighborhood in Philadelphia. Given it’s affordability and proximity to the city center one might wonder why prices aren’t higher?

Well, one reason could be the car break-ins are on the rise in the area which has some residents on edge. Perhaps it’s the fact that the neighborhood is located right next to a CSX rail station or that it’s neighbors to Forgotten Bottom (yes that’s a real neighborhood name).

Ground was recently broken on a new affordable housing project in the neighborhood that will certainly change the landscape a bit as well.

In any event, for the location you really can do much better on price in the city which is why it made our list of best neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

13. Graduate Hospital / Southwest Center City

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Families, walkability, larger living spaces, residential, proximity to city center

Situated just a mile southwest of city center with a western edge on the Schuylkill River, Graduate Hospital has one of the highest median household incomes of any of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia on this list.

I’d say this is a great area for working families as it’s a bit quieter, there’s more space, but still easily walkable to downtown. In Graduate Hospital (also known as Southwest City Center) you can find homes with a bit more living space and potentially even a backyard.

The restaurant/food scene isn’t quite as happening as Bella Vista but certainly more than Yorktown.

12. Bella Vista

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Foodies, markets, trees, picturesque, charming, proximity to city center

Located just a mile from city center, Bella Vista is a vibrant Philadelphia neighborhood originally settled by Italian immigrants with much of their charm still having influence today. The Bella Vista open air markets have folks coming from all over the city.

If proximity to greenery is important to you then move Bella Vista to the top of your list of best neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Looking out your window and going for walks you’ll see plenty trees.

Bella Vista is full of great restaurants (especially Italian) and a major plus (at least for me) is a Whole Foods situated just on the northern edge of the neighborhood.

All in all Bella Vista is one of the most picturesque parts of the city and worthy of inclusion on any list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

11. University City/West Philadelphia

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: University students including Penn & Drexel, green spaces, arts & culture, bars

If you’re a student at Penn, Drexel, or any of the other schools located here then University City is going to be at the top of the list of best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for you.

University City naturally caters to university students making the walk from campus to home a breeze with nice greenery and public spaces along the way. There’s also a great food scene here and plenty of bars to cater to the youths.

If you’re a fan of the arts and culture scene then University City might be for you as there’s regular performances put on by the universities as well as easy access to museums like the Penn Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art just across the river.

Top 10 Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

10. Center City

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: The heart of Philadelphia, tall buildings, action, history, hustle and bustle

If you’re transplanting from a big city like New York then Center City might be the best neighborhood in Philadelphia for you.

Center City, as you might assume, is in the heart of it all, where the skyscrapers are mixed in with the famous Philadelphia landmarks like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Here is the hustle and bustle of Philly.

Now the exact boundaries of Center City are a bit tricky as a lot of folks add Logan Square, Society Hill, Old City, and more into this (google maps included). For the purposes of this article it’s a much smaller area just to the west of Old City.

If you’re a fast walker and like to be in right in the center of it all then bump Center City to the top of your list of best neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

9. Fishtown

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Trendy, hipsters, working class, nightlife, restaurants, affordable

If you’re looking to live in one of the places where the cool kids hang out, add Fishtown to your list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia. In Fishtown you’ll find a trendy art scene complete with hipsters, great coffee, and craft breweries.

With this cool scene comes a bit of a younger crowd with the average age of residents sitting at 34 years and affordable home prices. Walkability is a huge factor here as is a friendly neighborhood spirit.

Fishtown is one of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for restaurants as well with something interesting to taste on every corner. Plus its location on the Delaware river is nice for residents taking a weekend stroll.

One thing to know for folks considering this neighborhood is the Rivers Casino is located just within the neighborhood’s boundaries on the water.

8. Passyunk Square

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Brownstones, restaurants, cheesesteaks, hipster, trendy, affordable

Passyunk is a beloved, quintessential Philadelphia neighborhood home to the great cheesesteak rivalry. Beyond Pat’s & Genos, in Passyunk you’ll find a vibrant, walkable neighborhood chalked full of diverse eateries and young professionals.

Passyunk is a must stop for tourists but also a must have on any list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia. The average age has slowly been on the rise over the past decade probably because folks who move in are reluctant to leave this charming area.

Affordability is also a big factor here with the median home price still well under the national average. Combine that with great proximity to the city center and you’ve got a winning combination.

7. Chestnut Hill

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Mansions, parks & greenery, affluent, shops & markets, families

If affluence, expensive houses (for Philly), beautiful parks, and quaint local restaurants sounds like your vibe then add Chestnut Hill to the top of your best neighborhoods in Philadelphia list.

Here in the city’s garden district you’ll find million dollar mansions, canopied walkways, breweries, and bakeries. You’ll also find homes with big yards and longer driveways. In fact, Chestnut Hill is probably the closest thing to the suburbs on our list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

With the suburbs comes a bit of an older demographic with the current median age sitting just below 50 at 47 years young.

One potential downside to all the fun is that Chestnut Hill is the furthest removed neighborhood from the city center on our list. Or maybe that’s just what you’re looking for…

6. Northern Liberties

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Lively, restaurants, waterfront, hipster, revitalized

If artisan coffee, craft beer, hipster vibes, and lively atmosphere check all the right boxes for you then consider Northern Liberties as your top neighborhood in Philadelphia.

This revitalized former industrial area has lots of bright spots. Take the Piazza – a former brewery turned hip shopping area with luxury apartments.

There’s also bike paths, cool murals, art galleries, and outdoor markets. The aesthetic is almost perfectly tailored to this early 30s crowd (average age 33) of young professionals.

Top 5 Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

5. Fairmount

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Museums, families, parks, culture, Parisian, posh, restaurants, waterfront

If you’re looking for the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia for families (or in general for that matter) it’s tough to do better than Fairmount.

Fairmount is the cultural center of Philadelphia with the city’s best museums (including the MET Philadelphia & Museum of Art) and parks. Strolling the Champs Élysées-inspired Benjamin Franklin Parkway down to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and beyond into East Fairmount Park, one gets the feeling that they’re in a true European city.

Add in the abundance of great restaurants along with top notch grocery stores (hello, Whole Foods) and you’ve got a winning recipe.

4. Society Hill / Queen Village

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: History, cobblestone streets, brownstones, tree-lined paths, upscale eateries, affluence

Perhaps Philadelphia’s most aesthetically pleasing and scenically beautiful neighborhood, Society Hill (and also lumping in Queen Village) is one of the premiere Philadelphia neighborhoods.

In Society Hill you’ll find old cobblestone streets, historic brownstones, tree-lined paths, and a distinct sense of history. Located adjacent to Old City where the Declaration of Independence was signed, it’s no wonder.

For tourists and residents alike, a stroll through Society Hill and Queen Village is both charming and enchanting. As one meanders further south into Queen Village the vibe shifts from colonial to more modern architecture.

Over the past year home values have been hit as hard here as anywhere so anyone considering buying in Philadelphia has an opportunity to save some serious coin at present.

No list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia is complete without Society Hill and Queen Village.

3. Rittenhouse Square / Fitler Square

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Location, debonair, ritzy hotels, high-end bars, boutiques, fashionable

We’ve officially reached the cream of the crop on our list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Rittenhouse Square, and by proximity, Fitler Square, are two of the more debonair neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

Here you’ll find elegant hotels, chic bars, ritzy boutiques, trendy shops, and upscale restaurants. The location couldn’t be better and the vibe is one of the nicest in the city.

Rittenhouse Square is located just west of city hall while Fitler Square is just west of Rittenhouse. Of the two I prefer Rittenhouse Square as it’s just a bit more “in the mix” than Fitler but both are wonderful.

This is one of the areas that residents of Philadelphia take out of town guests and family to show them the good times that can be had here.

2. Old City

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Historic charm, restaurants, museums, culture

If living in the birthplace of American independence is something you’ve dreamed of then Old City should be at the top of your list of the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

Old City is where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Liberty Bell was cracked (twice), Benjamin Franklin is buried, Betsy Ross’s house still stands, along with countless other pieces of America’s founding history.

Not only is history an integral part of Old City’s fabric but so too are delicious eateries for all price ranges. Add in Old City’s prime location between the Delaware River and Center City and it’s tough to find a better neighborhood to live in Philadelphia.

1. Washington Square West

A Best Neighborhood in Philadelphia for/because: Trendy, youthful, greenery, boutiques, charming, restaurants

Washington Square West is the perfect combination of historic charm and youthful energy. All of the best parts of the city are on display here which is why we rank it as the best neighborhood in Philadelphia.

Beautiful brownstones and lovely parks mix with cool, new boutiques and hip, young crowds. Stroll down the beautiful, tree-lined Spruce Street and dip into Washington Square to get a feel for the neighborhood at it’s finest.

Washington Square West is the most gay-friendly neighborhood in Philadelphia as well. If you’re into nightlife then this is a great neighborhood as lots of establishments are open late.

FAQ – Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

Map of the Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

List of the Best Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

1. Washington Square West
2. Old City
3. Rittenhouse Square / Fitler Square
4. Society Hill / Queen Village
5. Fairmount
6. Northern Liberties
7. Chestnut Hill
8. Passyunk Square
9. Fishtown
10. Center City
11. University City / West Philadelphia
12. Bella Vista
13. Graduate Hospital
14. Grays Ferry
15. Yorktown

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