Headquartered in New York City, Orchard — a company that aims to make home buying and selling as stress-free and smooth as possible, analyzed more than 500 metro areas for LGBTQ+ protections, median household incomes, and yearly housing costs to identify the top 20 under-the-radar-cities.
Philly has placed in the top 10 of this inaugural list that hopes to be updated annually!
Philadelphia Placed #8 on Orchard’s 2022 List
There is no doubt that buying a home is one of life’s biggest financial decisions. In an age of a pressing affordability issue and rising mortgage interest rates, LGBTQ+ homebuyers have the added obstacle of finding a safe, welcoming city to make a life for themselves.
“Homebuyers can expect to pay as much as 63% more to live in an area with explicit protections for the LGBTQ+ community, as compared to areas with none,” said Orchard analyst Allaire Conte.
To be considered in this list, cities had provided legal protections to those in the LGBTQ+ community. For instance, laws that outlaw discrimination in housing and more based on sexual orientation and gender identity. All listed cities scored perfectly on the Municipal Equality Index, which looks into the inclusivity of municipal laws, policies, and services.
The top 20 cities also have housing costs less than 30% of the national median income for same-sex couples.
Run — don’t walk — to take advantage of this affordable, inclusive city!
In terms of housing, the city of brotherly love offers low median monthly housing costs of $1,396 and a median household income for same-sex couples of just under $106,000 – the highest on the list. Furthermore, incoming Philadelphians can expect to spend 15.8% of their income on monthly housing costs.
However, the city has more to offer those in the LGBTQ+ community than just great housing opportunities.
Did you know Philadelphia is the city of the first major LGBTQ+ rights demonstration? Yes, it took place at Independence Hall on July 4, 1965. There is also a Gayborhood in Center City (between 11th and Broad Streets, along with Pine and Chestnut streets) that you can spot with its rainbow street signs and it features local restaurants and businesses owned and operated by those in the community.
Beyond the Gayborhood, Philly offers tours of the city’s queer history, the country’s longest-running LGBTQ bookstore, its own LGBTQ community center, a Lil Nas X Mural, and more. Check out more of what Philly has to offer for the LGBTQ+ city-goers here!
