Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Philadelphia, PA
4 neighborhoods ranked by safety, quiet living, air quality, affordability, and walkability — the factors that matter most for a comfortable retirement.
Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Philadelphia — Key Takeaways
The best neighborhood for retirees in Philadelphia is Center City with a Retiree Score of 67/100. Philadelphia has 4 neighborhoods evaluated for retirement livability. The safest neighborhood is Fishtown with a violent crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents. Best air quality goes to Fishtown with an AQI of 72.
Philadelphia has a population of 1,603,797, a median household income of $45,927, and a median home value of $195,000, which is 31% below the national average of $281,900.
Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Data Explorer, EPA AirNow, DOT Noise Map, Walk Score, and FEMA. Last updated: March 2026.
Top 3 Neighborhoods for Retirees
| # | Neighborhood | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center City | 67 | ||
| Fishtown | 66 | ||
| Northern Liberties | 65 | ||
4 | Rittenhouse | 64 |
Rankings by Category
Top 5 neighborhoods in Philadelphia for each retiree-relevant metric.
Lowest violent crime rate
- 3.9 per 1K
- 3.9 per 1K
- 3.9 per 1K
- 3.9 per 1K
Lowest Air Quality Index
- AQI 72
- AQI 72
- AQI 72
- AQI 72
Lowest median home value
- $340,000
- $350,000
- $375,000
- $425,000
Highest Walk Score
- 100/100
- 99/100
- 94/100
- 93/100
Lowest property crime rate
- 15.7 per 1K
- 15.7 per 1K
- 15.7 per 1K
- 15.7 per 1K
Highest median household income
- $131,027
- $126,809
- $82,112
- $69,267
Neighborhoods are ranked using the Retiree Score, a composite livability index specifically designed for retirees. It prioritizes the factors that matter most for a comfortable, safe, and healthy retirement:
- Safety (Violent Crime)
- 25% weight
- Quiet Living (Road Noise)
- 20% weight
- Air Quality (AQI)
- 20% weight
- Affordability (Home Value)
- 20% weight
- Walkability (Walk Score)
- 15% weight
Safety is weighted highest because personal security is the top concern for retirees. Quiet living and air quality reflect the importance of a healthy, peaceful environment. Affordability matters for those on fixed incomes, and walkability supports an active lifestyle without reliance on driving.
Data Sources: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), EPA AirNow, DOT National Transportation Noise Map, Walk Score, and FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer. All data is updated on a rolling basis as new government releases become available.