So here's how it is. I'm from Philadelphia and I live in New York City. Like many who move to New York City after college, I often compare it to my native city. It's only natural.
And in case you're in Philadelphia and wondering, no, there aren't Wawas in NYC. If you move here from Philadelphia you're going to miss Wawa badly. You will wake up in the middle of the night craving an Italian shorty during Hoagiefest. And you won't be able to have one.
And no one in NYC has any idea what water ice is, and they'll make fun of you if you talk about it.
I grew up seeing Broadway shows and my family would occasionally convene in NYC for expensive dinners, but the NYC I knew in my youth is nothing like the NYC I know now.
When I was a kid I didn't know about the talent bursting from NYC's seams, the murals adorning walls in SoHo, the live music blasting from bars, and the artistry adorning every neighborhood. I'm in love with NYC, and I expect to stay that way for a while.
But my heart lives in Philadelphia-- and it always will.
Comparing the two is a bit like what I'd imagine comparing two of my children (if I had any) would be like; trying to compare the older, zest-for-life rebellious kid who breaks all of my rules with the younger, decidedly more annoying kid who hangs on every word I say.
Bottom line is, it's hard to choose between the two. But in the end, we all know which city comes out on top. Now find out why below.
1. Public transportation
The Septa Rail System can't be compared to the MTA Subway System. Comparing the Septa Rail to the MTA Subway is like taking an ant and putting it in a 1,000 meter footrace with a horse. Or something like that.
The Septa Rail travels to 150 stations in Philadelphia and operates from 5:30 a.m. to midnight. It covers 2,202 square miles and serviced 4.063 million people in 2014. On an average weekday, 1.47 million people rode Philadelphia's Septa Rail in 2013.
The average weekday for the NYC subway saw 5.6 million riders in 2014.
The same year, the subway's annual ridership was 1.751 billion. The subway services 468 stations and covers more than 840 miles. And it runs 24/7. Need I say more?
The point is, the NYC subway is Goliath and the Philadelphia subway is David. But this time, David doesn't have a slingshot.
NYC 1, Philly 0
2. History
sarahdus It may not be my #city but after 5 weekends here in two months, I'm feeling like this building is home #cityhallphiladelphia #williampenn
NYC was founded in 1624, and Philadelphia was founded 1682. Both cities are old AF, and they both deserve shout outs for historical relevance.
And although NYC gets props for existing first, Philadelphia has got to take the W here. It's where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed and where the First Continental Congress met.
It was also the first capital of the United States (although NYC did take a turn as capital of the U.S. later).
The First Bank of the United States was in Philadelphia, as was the oldest residential street in America, Betsy Ross's house, and Declaration House, where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
And although Bellevue Hospital in NYC is the oldest public hospital in the U.S, Philadelphia was the largest city in America until 1830.
So, Philadelphia wins for history.
NYC 1, Philly 1
3. Landmarks
NYC has the Statue of Liberty and that's a very big deal. Plenty of people travel from Philadelphia to NYC just to see the Statue of Liberty all the time.
NYC also has the African Burial Ground, the Empire State Building, One World Trade, the Brooklyn Bridge, and many more.
So many more landmarks, in fact, that NYC drew 56.4 million visitors in 2014, who had a $61.3 billion economic impact.
But let's not count Philly out. Philadelphia has the Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center, and Betsy Ross's House. And Philadelphia drew 39.7 million visitors in 2014 with a $10.4 billion economic impact.
But NYC has 113 National Historic Landmarks and Philadelphia has 67. So yeah, NYC wins for landmarks.
NYC 2, Philly 1
4. Culture
NYC is the cultural capital of the world. That's hardly a contest. Sure, Always Sunny in Philadelphia is set in Philly, and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air mentions Philadelphia in its theme song. But, let's talk about the shows set in NYC.
Like Broad City, Girls, Sex and the City, Brooklyn 99, Seinfeld, Saturday Night Live, Law and Order, and, actually, I'll just stop. Because basically every other show is set in NYC.
Philadelphia does have a lot of amazing cultural centers. There's the Philadelphia Art Museum, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
But NYC has Broadway. And Broadway is the penultimate theater in America. NYC also has Poets House, the largest collection of poetry in America. And we have the Met, the MoMa, and the Guggenheim.
So, they call NYC the cultural capital of the world for a reason, right? Right.
NYC 3, Philly 1
,5. Cost of living
According to Zumper's National Rent Report for August, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in NYC is $3,100.
And the average monthly rent for an apartment in Philadelphia is $1,340.
So, basically, in Philadelphia you get more for your money. Apartments are bigger and cost less, and going out to dinner hardly ever gives anyone ulcers.
But when you live in NYC you, you know, get to live in NYC. I might be wrong, but I think this is what they refer to as "worth it"?
Then a New Yorker goes out to dinner in Philly prepared to spend $50, and the check comes and dinner costs $20. That New Yorker seriously considers moving.
NYC 3, Philly 2
6. Sports
It tears my heart out to write this, but it's true. NYC has more championships than Philadelphia.
Philadelphia has won 17 championships, three pre-Super Bowl era football championships, two Stanley Cups, three basketball championships, and seven baseball championships.
And NYC has 55 national sports championships. NYC is the city in America with the most sports championships. NYC's teams have 34 World Series titles, 11 Stanley Cups (if you include the Devils, Rangers, and Islanders in this), two NBA championships, and eight NFL championships.
So, NYC wins in championships.
NYC 4, Philly 2
7. Sports fandom
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Maybe it's because I'm from Philadelphia that I feel this way, but it seems like Philly has more heart when it comes to sports. Philadelphians tether their hopes and dreams to their sports teams, and Philadelphia earns (we don't need to forg1v3) its championships.
Each Philadelphia championship is payoff from years of suffering, and New York sports fans don't know about the years of suffering because they were, well, winning championships (at least they used to).
Let's just put it this way. The Phillies' Parade in 2008 was the wildest day of my life. And I feel similarly about the Eagles as I do about my Judaism, as in, I was born into it, and I'll always be a part of it.
NYC 4, Philly 3
8. All of the feels
Alright, alright, alright. NYC comes out victorious during this nail-biter of a competition 4 to 3.
NYC is special. Which is why I live here. I love bumping into my favorite celebrity on my way to yoga and being able to attend a poetry reading any night of the week. I love how Park Avenue sparkles in the winter and when people crowd themselves into Bryant Park to watch movies in summers.
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But when it comes to skylines and rivers, can we call it a draw?
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