Top Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Ah, Philadelphia. The one-time capital of America is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most exciting urban areas. While it’s often referred to as the City of Brotherly Love thanks to the origins of its name – a combination of the Greek words for love (phileo) and brother (adelphos) – it is also known for the diversity, individuality, and charm of its neighborhoods.

If you’re looking for information about the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia – look no more. You’ve found it. Whether you’re planning a move to the area or are already there, our write-ups below will hopefully help you get to know Philly a bit better. We’ve included recent data on six of the top Philadelphia neighborhoods, including walk scores, public transportation scores, average rents for one-bedroom apartments, and population numbers to help make your research a snap.

Washington Square West

Washington Square West is really three neighborhoods in one: Midtown Village, the Gayborhood, and Washington Square, one of five original public squares in the city. Located just south of Center City, it’s widely considered to be one of the best Philadelphia neighborhoods thanks to its vivacity and charm. We’re talking cobblestone streets, quaint cafés, and locally owned shops, as well as a thriving LGBTQ scene.

Some of our favorite spots in Washington Square West are Talula’s Garden for high-end nights out and Brauhaus Schmitz for unbeatable German cuisine.

Walk Score: 99
Average Rent: $1,357
Public Transportation: 100
Population: 11,278

Fishtown

Visit Philly calls Fishtown “young, hip, and on the rise” and we’d have to agree. Art, music, food, drink, shopping – what more could you ask for in a top Philadelphia neighborhood? North of Center City, the area is easily accessible from just about anywhere in the city but that’s assuming you’re going to want to venture out.

We love visiting Philadelphia Distilling for cocktails made from their Bluecoat Gin every time we’re in Fishtown. Other top spots include Cheu Fishtown for ramen, dumplings, and rice bowls, and Castellino’s Italian Market for a mouthwatering selection of cured meats, cheeses, breads, hoagies, and more.

Walk Score: 85
Average Rent: $1850
Public Transportation: 71
Population: 12,138

Northern Liberties

Connecting Old City to Fishtown, Northern Liberties (or NoLibs as the locals refer to it) is a great spot for dining, drinking, and shopping. Home to the popular Yards Brewing Tap Room and Standard Tap, NoLibs also offers convenient access to one of our top Philadelphia storage locations at 501 Callowhill. 

NoLibs is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Philadelphia thanks to urban planning that ushered in a number of mixed use development projects. One of the most famous in the area is the Piazza at Schmidts, which opened in 2009 on the site of the former Schmidt’s Brewery. Once abandoned and overgrown, the area has been entirely reclaimed and rejuvenated.

Walk Score: 94
Average Rent: $1,802
Public Transportation: 70
Population: 17,351

Passyunk Square

While considered to be one of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Passyunk Square still offers residents and visitors alike a densely populated urban vibe. Primarily known for the shops and restaurants along East Passyunk Avenue, Passyunk Square was once named “one of the ten best foodie neighborhoods” by Food & Wine. Offerings include high-end fare alongside traditional Italian restaurants, innovative Asian noodle bars, and cheesesteak adversaries Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks.

While residents often travel to Center City for nightlife options, there is still plenty to do in Passyunk Square, including visiting the neighborhood’s famous Singing Fountain. If you’re planning to walk around one day, try to time it for the second Saturday of the month when retailers and restaurateurs offer discounts.

Walk Score: 98
Average Rent: $1850
Public Transportation: 76
Population: 39,335

Bustleton

Bustleton is a quiet neighborhood in Northeast Philly popular with families thanks to its diverse housing options, green spaces, and easy access to Center City. Named one of the ten hottest affordable neighborhoods in 2019,  Bustleton is also known as one of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Unlike many other parts of the city, homes in Bustleton tend to have a bit more of a suburban feel and often come with backyards.

As a primarily residential community, Bustleton isn’t known for its entertainment options. Whenever we’re in Bustleton, however, we schedule a stop at Pennypack Park. Its 1600 acres of fields, hills, woodlands, and wetlands are a paradise for bikers, walkers, hikers, and horseback riders. The park is a gem of Philadelphia that’s well worth the visit.  

Walk Score: 50
Average Rent: $1,108
Public Transportation: 47
Population: 35,533

Fairmount

North of City Center, the Philadelphia neighborhood of Fairmount is sometimes called the “Art Museum Area” thanks to the world-renowned art collections within its borders (including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Franklin Institute and the Rodin Museum). The neighborhood is also home to America’s first waterworks and first penitentiary, Eastern State, which hosts a festive Bastille Day event each year.

Be sure to stop by Brown Street Coffee and Bånhery for a quick brew and banh mi or Zorba’s Tavern for top-notch Mediterranean fare. No trip to Fairmount would be complete without a visit to Fairmount Park, which is 10 times the size of Central Park. This massive green space abuts the Schuylkill River, offering plenty of opportunities for sports and recreation throughout the year.

Walk Score: 75
Average Rent: $1725
Public Transportation: 67
Population: 29,378

Rittenhouse Square

Located smack dab in the middle of any map of Philadelphia neighborhoods. Rittenhouse Square is a highly sought-after City Center address for families, young professionals, and students from nearby University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Including both the Schuylkill River Park and the Rittenhouse Square Park, the area is steeped in old-world charm thanks to its history as one of the original five public squares designed by William Penn and home to the elite of the Victorian era.

Rittenhouse Square is known for its ample shopping choices, including the flagship Anthropologie on 18th and Walnut, along with Boyds Philadelphia and the Shops at Liberty Place. Be sure to stop by Di Bruno Bros European-style marketplace for all the fixings for a truly gourmet meal.

Walk Score: 75
Average Rent: $2,000
Public Transportation: 67
Population: 18,658

One look at any Philadelphia neighborhood map will quickly make clear how many great options there are in the city. We truly only scratched the surface of the best Philadelphia neighborhoods with the six we listed. If you’re interested in more information, check out recent articles from Bungalow, Dolly, and Zumper that go into depth on the pros and cons of other neighborhoods in the city. And if you’re looking for local storage while you make the move to or within Philly, CubeSmart has you covered with your choice of 5×5 storage units, 10×10 storage units and more. Simply click the Storage Near Me button for an easy-to-use map of CubeSmart locations in the greater Philadelphia area.