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Neighborhood
Philadelphia

University City

#38 in Best Neighborhoods to Live in Philadelphia Area
  • B+
    Overall Grade
  • 49
B+
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Public Schools
    C-
  2. Crime & Safety
    C+
  3. Housing
    D+
  4. Nightlife
    A+
  5. Good for Families
    B
  6. Diversity
    A-
  7. Jobs
    C
  8. Weather
    B-
  9. Cost of Living
    C-
  10. Health & Fitness
    A
  11. Outdoor Activities
    A
  12. Commute
    A+
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Population
21,504

Real Estate

Median Home Value
$239,057
National
$184,700
Median Rent
$1,200
National
$949
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Area Feel
Urban
Rent vs. Own
  • Rent
    90%
  • Own
    10%

University City Rankings

Niche ranks thousands of neighborhoods based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

Crime & Safety

Crime & Safety
C+
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Violent Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Assault
    101
    283
  • Murder
    0
    6
  • Rape
    —
    41
  • Robbery
    87
    136
Property Crimes
  • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
National
  • Burglary
    96
    500
  • Theft
    1,409
    2,043
  • Motor Vehicle Theft
    32
    284

Residents

Diversity
A-
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Median Household Income
$39,719
National
$55,322
Children
2%
Education Levels
National
  • Master's degree or higher
    25%
    12%
  • Bachelor's degree
    23%
    19%
  • Some college or associate's degree
    21%
    29%
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    20%
    28%
  • Less than high school diploma
    11%
    13%
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    University City Reviews

    49
    All Categories
    Great city to attend college in! Several universities surround the area, including Usciences, Drexel and Upenn! Each school has its own public safety offices, which join together to patrol the entirety of University City and the surrounding neighborhoods that students may live in. They also provide transportation to students. The city is full of diverse foods, local events at Clark park, a dog park (doesn't allow pitbulls, was very upset about that), and has access points to all major forms of public transit that can take you tocl center city. I used to work in center city and would ride my bike too and from Rittenhouse square every night. Never had safety issues and it was ONLY a 15min ride! Would recommend this neighborhood to any perspective college students.
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    University City is a great area that has many areas within it. There's Powelton village which is perfect for older residents and houses many families while on campus of Drexel and UPenn, there's a lot of students. There's also multiple hospitals all within walking distance, making this a great place to live and be a student!
    Friendly, diverse, and community minded. Lots of inexpensive things to do and groups to join for all ages. It's close to several universities as well as I-95 and the Amtrak train station. Very walkable, with lots of families with strollers. Many of the public schools are bad (some are great, though), so you have to figure that out. You are close to downtown Philadelphia, so your commute, if you work there, will be minimal. There are multiple farmers markets every week in the neighborhood with food from Lancaster County, PA and Mariposa, great food co-op.