Elevation
Philadelphia elevation
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is 39 feet (12 meters) above sea level.
What 39 feet means in Philadelphia
Among the 200 cities on this site, Philadelphia is one of the lowest. At 39 ft the thinner air is not something most people notice day to day.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Philadelphia a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 29.88 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg. See today’s live barometric pressure in Philadelphia.
Cooking. Water boils at about 212 °F (100.0 °C) here, almost the same as at sea level. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact elevation where you are standing, use What is my elevation?
Elevation of places near Philadelphia
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 33 | 10 | 81 mi |
| Baltimore, MD | 33 | 10 | 90 mi |
| Harrisburg, PA | 331 | 101 | 94 mi |
| Washington, DC | 23 | 7 | 124 mi |
| Hartford, CT | 59 | 18 | 180 mi |
| Albany, NY | 148 | 45 | 200 mi |
| Richmond, VA | 210 | 64 | 207 mi |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 10 | 3 | 219 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation of Philadelphia?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is about 39 feet (12 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Philadelphia because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 39 ft is about 29.88 inHg (1012 hPa), 100% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 100% as much oxygen as at sea level. Live barometric pressure in Philadelphia.
At what temperature does water boil in Philadelphia?
About 212 °F (100.0 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.