Considering a Move to the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington Metro Area? Here’s What You Should Know (2025)
The Basics of the Philadelphia Metro Area
The Philadelphia metro stretches across three states, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, and blends historic urban cores that pull in the tourists, leafy suburbs that shock newbies with their beauty and opulence, and small but growing satellite cities. It’s one of the most affordable large metros in the Northeast, often thought of as filled with East Coast grit, like a New York or Boston, but far less expensive and going through significant reinvention in the urban core.
With more than 6 million residents, the region includes Philadelphia itself, rapidly growing suburbs, and nearby cities like Wilmington, DE, and Camden, NJ. Housing runs the gamut from brick rowhomes and cobblestone streets to upscale suburbs with top-tier schools and easy regional rail access.
Economic & Cultural Landscape of the Philadelphia Metro Area
- Major employers: UPenn, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Jefferson Health, Comcast, Vanguard.
- Growth sectors: Healthcare, education, financial services, tech, and biotech.
- Revitalization zones: Camden (life sciences & logistics) and Wilmington (fintech & corporate HQ expansions).
- Cultural identity: Working-class roots meet creative energy, murals, jazz clubs, immigrant-led food scenes, and black-owned bookstores all thrive here.
- Innovation hubs: University City and the Navy Yard are expanding tech and biotech capacity.
How the Metro Is Structured
The metro can be understood in five main subregions:
- Philadelphia Proper – Dense, diverse, and historically rich, with distinct neighborhoods.
- *Main Line & Western Suburbs – Affluent, leafy, high-achieving school districts and established commuter towns.
- South Jersey Suburbs – Affordable, quiet, and suburban, with direct PATCO access to the city.
- Northwest/Northern Suburbs – More space, strong schools, and classic commuter life.
- Wilmington & Northern Delaware – A small city with low taxes, Amtrak access, and surprising affordability.
The Main Areas of the Philadelphia- Camden–Wilmington Metro
Philadelphia Proper
The Vibe: Historic, scrappy, and full of personality. Rowhomes, murals, BYOB restaurants, and a fiercely loyal civic identity.
Why It Works:
- Walkable
- Transit-rich
- Affordable compared to other East Coast cities
- Diverse, full of art and culture.
Watch Out For:
- Crime in some neighborhoods
- School quality varies
- Aging infrastructure.
Good Fit For: Young professionals, creatives, students, healthcare workers, city lovers
->Explore the Deep Dive into Philadelphia Proper
Main Line & Western Suburbs
The Vibe: Polished, prestigious, and family-focused. Mansions and manicured parks meet elite schools and stone train stations.
Why It Works:
- Excellent public schools
- Quick access to Center City
- Strong community institutions.
Watch Out For:
- High home prices
- Some social insularity
- Limited rental inventory.
Good Fit For: Families, professionals, college-town lovers, people seeking generational neighborhoods.
-> Explore the Deep Dive into Philadelphia's Mainline & Western Suburbs
South Jersey Suburbs
The Vibe: Quiet, leafy, and affordable. Suburban living just across the river from Center City.
Why It Works:
- Lower taxes than PA
- Easy PATCO train into Philly
- Room to spread out.
Watch Out For:
- Car dependency
- Slower pace
- Some struggling downtowns.
Good Fit For: Commuters, young families, buyers priced out of Philly who still want city access.
Explore the Deep Dive into South Jersey Suburbs
Northwest/Northern Suburbs
The Vibe: Traditional commuter belt — stable, spacious, and family-centric with good schools and regional rail links.
Why It Works:
- Larger homes
- Access to parks and trails
- Proximity to job hubs like King of Prussia and Blue Bell.
Watch Out For:
- Traffic along 422 and the Turnpike
- Not walkable
- Little nightlife.
Good Fit For: Suburban professionals, families, hybrid workers
-> Explore the Deep Dive into Philadelphia's Northwest/Northern Suburbs to better understand whether this area is right for you.
Wilmington & Northern Delaware
The Vibe: Underrated and evolving. A small city with corporate roots, Amtrak access, and increasing buzz.
Why It Works:
- Lower cost of living
- No sales tax
- Easy train rides to Philly, Baltimore, or DC.
Watch Out For:
- Still rebuilding in some areas
- Limited cultural amenities compared to bigger cities.
Good Fit For: Remote workers, retirees, first-time buyers, Amtrak commuters who want value and access.
-> Explore the Deep Dive into Wilmington & Northern Delaware
TL;DR – How to Choose Where to Live in the Philly Metro
Subregion---------------------------Best For
- Philadelphia Proper-----------------Young professionals, creatives, med students, city lovers
- Main Line & Western Suburbs--------Families, high-income buyers, professionals, school-focused
- South Jersey Suburbs--------------Commuters, young families, value-focused buyers, and quiet-lifestyle
- Northwest/Northern Suburbs-------Families, dual-incomes, hybrid workers, and suburbanites
- Wilmington & N. Delaware-----------1st-time buyers, retirees, remote workers, Amtrak commuters
FAQ: Living in the Philadelphia Metro
Q: What is the most affordable place to live in the Philly metro?
A: Parts of South Jersey (like Pennsauken or Gloucester City) and Wilmington, DE, often offer the lowest home prices while still being commutable.
Q: Where should I live if I want the shortest commute to Center City?
A: Neighborhoods in Philadelphia proper, the inner Main Line towns (Ardmore, Bryn Mawr), and Camden County towns on the PATCO line have the quickest train commutes.
Q: Which suburbs have the best schools?
A: Tredyffrin-Easttown, Lower Merion, Radnor, and Haddonfield consistently rank among the top public school districts in the region.
Q: Is Philadelphia a good option for remote workers?
A: Yes — housing costs are lower than NYC or DC, and there’s strong broadband coverage. Many remote workers choose walkable neighborhoods in the city or scenic Delaware towns with Amtrak access.
Q: Is South Jersey really cheaper than Pennsylvania suburbs?
A: Generally, yes — especially when factoring in property taxes. But some upscale NJ towns rival Main Line prices.
Next Step: Find Your Philly Metro Match
- Start Your Movebook to Compare & Save Your Favorite Areas
- Take the LookyLOO quiz to see which areas match your lifestyle best.