A Local Expert's Guide to the Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

There’s always been more to Philadelphia than meets the eye. When I first came here, I saw it as a tough, gritty town. But I quickly realized that it’s also one of the friendliest cities in America, always ready to greet newcomers with open arms. It’s an art hub, a foodie paradise, and a great city for entertainment, culture and outdoor recreation. It’s also a surprisingly affordable place to live.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Philadelphia

Philly is a city defined by its neighborhoods, and each little corner of this diverse, energetic metropolitan area has its own quirks, its own attractions, and its own unmistakable vibe. If you’re looking for an affordable area that also has no shortage of things to see and do, start with these 10 neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

North Philadelphia

Encompassing many smaller neighborhoods north of Center City, North Philadelphia is a large, widely varied area that includes some of Philly’s most exciting neighborhoods. There’s so much going on here that it’s hard to sum up, except to say that there’s something for everyone. Tucked away within North Philadelphia, you’ll find affluent areas, top-rated schools and vibrant shopping districts, along with some less well-off areas.

A couple of my favorite places in North Philadelphia are Fishtown and Kensington. These historic neighborhoods are among the hippest places in the city, thanks to an influx of young creatives drawn by low rents in a formerly overlooked area. Some of the best nightlife is here, plus great restaurants, friendly neighborhood taverns, and an abundance of public art and murals.

Bella Vista

The name Bella Vista translates to “beautiful sight,” and that says a lot about this fun, lively South Philly neighborhood. Within view of the Center City skyscrapers, Bella Vista is mostly a tree-lined residential neighborhood with row after row of historic homes. But this neighborhood is mostly known for the historic Italian Market, which stretches north along 9th Street, from Wharton Street to Fitzwater Street.

This neighborhood was established by Italian immigrants in the 1800s, and subsequent waves of Latino and Asian immigrants have made it one of the most diverse areas in Philadelphia. Multiple SEPTA lines connect Bella Vista to areas all over the city, and it’s also a very walkable and bike-friendly neighborhood. Be sure to check out the iconic Magic Gardens!

Rittenhouse Square

You’re right where the action is when you live in Rittenhouse Square. Known for its historic architecture and bustling shopping, dining and entertainment corridor, Rittenhouse Square is urban living at its best. It’s impossible to be bored here, and I especially love all the great al fresco cafes and cocktail bars that provide exceptional food and drink, plus some of Philadelphia’s best people-watching.

Surrounding its namesake park, Rittenhouse Square is also very family-friendly, with several top-rated boutique preschools, daycare centers and charter schools. Two train stations make it a transportation hub from which you can get anywhere in the city with ease. You can even catch the subway from Locust Street and ride it all the way to New Jersey if you’re so inclined.

West Philadelphia

West Philly covers a huge area west of the Schuylkill River. It’s almost impossible to say exactly where the boundaries of West Philadelphia lie, but we can all agree that it contains a multitude of smaller neighborhoods that each add their own flavors, making West Philly feel like a city unto itself.

The adjoining Spruce Hill and Cedar Park neighborhoods are a couple of real standout areas in West Philadelphia. These “streetcar suburbs” have great architecture and an abundance of affordable apartments to rent. Baltimore Avenue is one of the major streets through the area, and it’s an eclectic avenue with an incredibly diverse restaurant scene. Within just a few blocks, you can dine on Vietnamese, Pakistani, Laotian, Japanese and countless other global cuisines, all of them exceptional.

Passyunk Square

A young, energetic, up-and-coming neighborhood in South Philadelphia, Passyunk Square is not only one of the city’s most affordable neighborhoods, but one of the best, period. It has a real community-centered small-town feel, and you can tell that the people who live here take pride in their neighborhood. It’s also well-connected by public transportation; you can be in Center City in 12 minutes by train.

Passyunk Square is also a genuine foodie heaven, with some of Philadelphia’s best restaurants lining Passyunk Avenue. Offerings here go way beyond cheesesteaks, but it’s worth mentioning that two of Philly’s best—Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks—are here in Passyunk Square. Which is better? I'll never tell. You need to try both to decide for yourself.

Newbold

Just west of Passyunk Square, Newbold is another standout neighborhood in South Philly. This is a neighborhood that doesn’t call a lot of attention to itself. It’s a vibey, laid-back neighborhood, its streets lined with brick row houses that give it that classic Philadelphia look. South Broad Street forms Newbold’s eastern boundary and makes it well-connected to all points north and south.

Newbold is catching on thanks to its abundance of affordable housing. A lot of young people seem to be moving here, and more and more cool small businesses pop up every day. Turn your back for a second, and before you know it, there’s a brand-new coffee roaster, microbrewery, juice bar or vegan bakery you just have to check out.

East Parkside

East Parkside is a little corner of West Philly that is often overlooked, but has the air of a neighborhood on the rise. It has a mix of urban and suburban vibes, with some of the most affordable housing around. Girard Avenue connects it to Brewerytown across the Schuylkill River, and the neighborhood is bounded on most sides by highways or railroad tracks, making it feel like its own little community, separate from the city at large.

The best feature of East Parkside is that it abuts Fairmont Park. This is Philadelphia’s largest park and one of my favorite places to enjoy time in nature within the city limits. The Philadelphia Zoo is also just a stone’s throw away, so there are a lot of great outdoor attractions within easy walking or biking distance.

Graduate Hospital

Also known as Southwest City Center, the Graduate Hospital area has become one of Philadelphia’s most desirable neighborhoods. It’s just south of Rittenhouse Square and west of Bella Vista, with spectacular views of the downtown skyline and convenient east-to-west SEPTA stops along South Street that make it well-connected.

I get the feeling that there’s a lot of neighborhood pride in Graduate Hospital. Folks throw some great street festivals and block parties here, and some of Philadelphia’s most buzz-worthy new restaurants have popped up in Graduate Hospital in recent years. There’s also a fun bar scene, whether you’re looking for generational neighborhood watering holes or trendy new gastro-pubs. Graduate Hospital is also diverse, kid-friendly, and home to a great art scene.

Belmont

Tucked away in West Philly, Belmont is a historic neighborhood that harbors some of Philadelphia’s most affordable rentals and real estate. Lancaster Avenue, one of the neighborhood’s main arteries, offers a wealth of local businesses and restaurants. This isn’t fine dining territory, but you’ll find some of the best diners, dives, barbecue joints and authentic Chinese restaurants here.

A traditionally middle-class neighborhood, Belmont is home to some beautifully well-preserved architecture. If you’re looking for the early 20th-century brick row houses that are quintessentially Philadelphia, you’ll find street after street filled with them in Belmont.

Point Breeze

An underrated neighborhood in South Philadelphia, Point Breeze takes its name from a point on the Schuylkill River. The boundaries of this neighborhood are hazy—it’s impossible to say where Point Breeze ends and Newbold begins—but it’s a great option for people who like the energy and atmosphere of living in the city.

Point Breeze is very much an urban neighborhood, and it has a fun atmosphere, with a diverse population and lots of great multicultural dining options. The vibe can vary quite a bit from block to block, but no matter where in Point Breeze you are, you’re never far from a cool coffee shop, divey music venue or neighborhood sandwich shop.