The 8 Best Philadelphia Neighborhoods To Call Home In 2025

Pennsylvania's largest city, Philadelphia, is filled with diverse neighborhoods. According to BestPlaces.net, the cost of living in Philadelphia is 4.3% higher than the national average and 10.3% higher than the Pennsylvania state average. Zillow.com notes that the average home value in the city is about $225,000. Historic sites, cultural attractions, and delicious food can be found throughout Philadelphia's eclectic neighborhoods. Just like in any city, some neighborhoods in Philadelphia are safer and more affordable than others. Here, we present eight of the best Philadelphia neighborhoods to call home in 2025.

Passyunk Square

Named for Passyunk Avenue, one of the only diagonal streets in the grid design of the city of Philadelphia, Passyunk Square is in South Philadelphia. It is bounded by Broad Street to the west, Sixth Street to the east, Tasker Street to the south, and Washington Avenue to the north. Some of its best-known landmarks include Pat's King of Steaks (where the cheesesteak is said to have been invented in 1933) and Geno's Steaks. Per Zillow.com, the average home value in Passyunk Square is about $375,000. According to the Philadelphia Police Department, violent crime in Passyunk Square, which lies in the department's Third District, has decreased by almost 15 percent from 2024-25.

Passyunk Square is known for more than just cheesesteaks. The Singing Fountain at Passyunk and Tasker Streets, a fountain that plays music trough speakers, is a unique neighborhood feature that should not be missed. The Italian Market on Ninth Street is also within this neighborhood, with its blocks of grocers, butchers, fishmongers, candy retailers, and coffee sellers. Other famous restaurants in the Passyunk Square area include Pho 75, South Philly Barbacoa, and Adelita. Constitution Health Plaza and Jefferson Methodist Hospital serve Passyunk Square residents when medical care is needed. You can reach Center City from Passyunk Square in about 15 minutes through a combination of a subway ride and a short walk.

Chestnut Hill

In the northwest corner of Philadelphia, you'll find the neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, also referred to as the Garden District. This neighborhood is considered higher end, with home values just under $800,000. It is also safer, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. They note that all types of crime within this, the Fourteenth District, including homicide, violent crime, and property crime, are down from 2024-25. If you can afford it, Chestnut Hill, with its suburban feel, is a pleasant, safe district to call home.

Tree-lined streets fill the Chestnut Hill neighborhood, although most of the chestnut trees for which it was originally named are no longer there. It is adjacent to the 1,800- acre Wissahickon Valley Park, providing over 50 miles of hiking and biking trails. It is also home to the Philadelphia Cricket Club, the oldest country club in the nation, founded in 1854. Chestnut Hill's Main Street is quaint and trendy, with restaurants such as Cake and CinCin, many offering outdoor seating in the spring, summer, and fall. Medical care is provided by Temple Health-Chestnut Hill Hospital on Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. Center City Philadelphia is just 12 miles away and can be reached by car in about 25 minutes. Chestnut Hill is also served by SEPTA regional rail lines, providing a 45-minute train ride into Center City.

Queen Village

Queen Village, a historic neighborhood near South Street and the Philadelphia Waterfront, lies along the eastern edge of South Philadelphia. It is bounded by Lombard Street, Washington Avenue, the Delaware River, and Sixth Street. Median home values in Queen Village are $560,000, and, like Passyunk, it is in the Philadelphia Police Department's Third District, where violent crime is down in the last year. While it is a bit more expensive to live in Queen Village, it is considered to be one of Philadelphia's safest neighborhoods.

Fabric Row in Queen Village is a famous area of South Fourth Street that was once a hub for fabric vendors. Today, farmers' markets, eclectic boutiques, and restaurants line the streets of Queen Village. Shops include Brickbat Books and Repo Records. Eateries in Queen Village include Fitz on 4th and Three Graces Coffee. There is much green space here, such as Mario Lanza Park and Jefferson Square Park. The acclaimed Thomas Jefferson University Hospital serves Queen Village residents. Center City is a convenient 11-minute drive or 30-minute walk away.

Society Hill

Part of Philadelphia's historic district, the Center City neighborhood of Society Hill is named after the Free Society of Traders, a league of business and cultural leaders from the 17th century. It is bounded by Walnut Street to the north, Lombard Street to the south, Front Street (or the Delaware River) to the east, and Eighth Street to the west. Median home values in Society Hill are $457,000. It is part of the Philadelphia Police Department's Ninth District, which has seen one homicide in the past year (2024-25). Residents of Society Hill have also hired private security and formed town watches to deter both violent and property crime in the neighborhood.

Georgian row homes, luxury condominiums, Franklin Street lamps, brick sidewalks, and cobblestone streets line the neighborhood of Society Hill, which houses historical landmarks such as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Washington Square Park is also within this neighborhood, one of five original public green spaces established by William Penn. Famous restaurants including the Twisted Tail and Bloomsday, are here as well. Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital, is on Spruce Street in the neighborhood. As Society Hill is already in Center City, it is convenient to almost everything, with the waterfront area a mere half-hour walk away. It is also served by the Market-Frankford subway line, as well as SEPTA bus routes, to reach other parts of the city and suburbs.

Overbrook

The West Philadelphia neighborhood of Overbrook is near City Avenue and the Montgomery and Delaware County borders. It is bordered by 56th Street to the east, 63rd Street to the west, Lancaster Avenue to the north, and Lansdowne Avenue to the south. Median home values in Overbrook are just $196,000. Established in the early 1900s, Overbrook lies within the Philadelphia Police Department's 19th district, where homicides are down almost 67% and violent crimes are down two percent in 2024-25. It is a relatively safe, affordable neighborhood that is ideal for working families who want to feel like they are living in the suburbs.

The famous basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain hails from Overbrook, as does celebrity Will Smith. Both graduated from Overbrook High School, which is over 100 years old. Overbrook's streets are filled with row homes, semi-detached twin homes, and apartment buildings. Many green spaces and playgrounds such as Rose Playground and Morris Park are located in the neighborhood. The commercial corridor along Lancaster Avenue/Route 30 is home to the Overbrook Night Market, a family-friendly, outdoor food experience that takes place in spring and summer months. Lankenau Medical Center, a prominent city hospital, serves the Overbrook area. Overbrook is just a 20-minute drive or train ride from Center City.

Manayunk

Manayunk is in lower northwest Philadelphia on the banks of the Schuylkill River. It is the site of the first canal that was begun in the US and is adjacent to the neighborhood of Roxborough. Home values in Manayunk average about $340,000. Manayunk is located with the Philadelphia Police Department's Fifth District, where violent crime has decreased by almost 10 percent from 2024-25. Today, Manayunk is home to many singles and young professionals and is filled with rowhouses, Victorian homes, and apartments.

Green spaces in Manayunk include Fairview Park and Pretzel Park, and the Schuylkill River Trail is popular with walkers, joggers, and bicyclists. The famous Marchiano's Bakery in Manayunk has served celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and The Temptations, with photos on the wall to prove it. Festivals held in Manayunk include the food-oriented Manayunk StrEAT Festival each April and the Shoe Box Short Theatre Festival every May. A variety of restaurants can be found in Manayunk, including Taqueria Amor, Hilltown Tavern, and Manayunk Brewing Company. Roxborough Memorial Hospital is convenient for residents. Manayunk is just seven miles from Center City Philadelphia, and can easily be reached by car or SEPTA bus.

Fishtown

Located in North Philadelphia, the neighborhood of Fishtown is northeast of Center City, and may also be referred to as River Wards. It is bounded by the Delaware River to the east, Front Street to the west, York Street to the north, and Norris Street to the south. Home values here average $350,000, and the Philadelphia Police Department notes that here, in the 26th District, property crimes are down from 2024-25. Fishtown is a safe, affordable neighborhood perfect for art and culture lovers and foodies.

The AMC television series "Dispatches From Elsewhere" prominently features the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Popular music venues in Fishtown include the Fillmore, Johnny Brenda's, and the Foundry. Rivers Casino is also in Fishtown. Temple University Hospital-Jeanes Campus is just minutes away for medical needs. Center City can be reached from Fishtown in 20 minutes via the Market-Frankford El train, or by a 15-minute drive down Interstate 95 across the Vine Street Expressway.

Fairmount

The Fairmount neighborhood is in lower North Philadelphia, bounded by Fairmount Avenue to the south, Girard Avenue to the north, the Schuylkill River to the west, and Corinthian Avenue to the east. It is north of Spring Garden Street. Also known as the Art Museum area, the average home value in Fairmount is $424,000. It is located within Philadelphia Police Department's Ninth District, which has seen no homicides within the past year (2024-25).

Fairmount is popular among those who live there, as well as visitors, for its museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute. In fact, it is said that Fairmount gets its name from the hill on which the art museum sits where William Penn originally intended to build a manor house. Fairmount is also the neighborhood of the Philadelphia Zoo, the oldest zoo in the United States, opened in 1874. In addition to culture, Fairmount has its share of food, such as Pizzeria Vetri and Jack's Firehouse. It is home to the Fairmount Behavioral Health System and Girard Medical Center, for mental health and medical needs. Center City is about 10 minutes away from the Fairmount neighborhood by bike, 30 minutes walking, or a 20-minute ride on a SEPTA train.

Each of these eight diverse Philadelphia neighborhoods is a great place to call home. Whether you are interested in being in the middle of the historic, arts, and cultural scene of Society Hill; or want the more suburban feel of Chestnut Hill or Overbrook, moving to any of these welcoming Philadelphia communities is just the start of building a new life in the City of Brotherly Love.