I toured 3 apartments in Philadelphia to see what I could get for the price of my Brooklyn apartment. Now I'm questioning why I live in New York.

Currently, my apartment is located in Sunset Park in Brooklyn, which isn't one of the trendy or desirable neighborhoods in the borough like Williamsburg, Bushwick, or Park Slope. For my half of the two-bedroom apartment, I pay $1,100 per month in rent, while my roommate pays the other half.

For the past few years, I've dreamed about living on my own in the city, but a one-bedroom apartment in New York is well out of my reach. On average, a one-bedroom apartment in New York in 2021 costs $3,061 per month, according to Apartments Guide.

For the past few years, I've heard that many New Yorkers were leaving the city to move to Philadelphia, a city said to have a similar culture to New York City. Not to mention it's cheaper, too. On average, a one-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia in 2021 costs $2,135.

I began to wonder what my New York City rent of $1,100 per month would get me in Philly and if I could afford an apartment without a roommate.

When I started looking at places on Apartments.com and Zillow, I was shocked that I could afford to live in the center of Philadelphia for much less than the city's average cost and significantly cheaper than New York City's price tag.

With a budget that maxes out at $1,300, living on my own in a studio or one-bedroom apartment suddenly looked more like a reality.

Park Towne Place is a massive apartment complex located in Fairmount, which is a stone's throw away from the Philadelphia Museum of Art (which is the site of the famous staircase seen in "Rocky"), the Schuylkill River Park, and the historic Boathouse Row.

Each of the apartments was around 400 square feet. Although the living space wasn't huge, I was surprised to find a completely updated kitchen in both units, high-end hardwood floors, and an in-unit washer/dryer.

A one-bedroom apartment at Park Towne Place costs around $1,700, which would be out of my price range.

I've always dreamed of having a pool, but it never seemed like a reality for me. All the buildings in New York City that have pools are considered luxurious and are way out of my price range.

Essentially, the apartment was a town in itself. I was shocked to learn that free access to all of these amenities was included in the $1,213 rent.

For comparison, a studio apartment in New York City located near a major tourist attraction and with similar amenities could cost around $3,470 per month.

Washington Square West is a desirable neighborhood located in the center of Philadelphia and known for its close proximity to LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs.

The apartments I saw at the Chancellor were between 200 and 500 square feet. Although the kitchens in these units were extremely small, the living spaces were large, the hardwood flooring was updated, and each had a walk-in closet.

It would be extremely difficult to get a similar view in New York City in a studio apartment for anywhere near $1,000 per month.

The exterior of the building had an awning, multiple pillars, and beautiful landscaping. Where I'm from, this typically means the apartments inside are something I could never afford. I had to keep reminding myself this apartment was actually in my price range.

Standing in this lobby, I had a surprising realization. For the past five years, I've been somewhat brainwashed into believing amenities and beautiful buildings must cost astronomical prices. In cities outside of New York, however, you can get these high-end features — like a beautiful lobby — for a reasonable price.

The apartment had a walk-in closet and a washer/dryer in the bathroom — a feature that only exists in most New Yorker's wildest fantasies.

In New York City, you need a $128,552 salary to be a renter and "live comfortably," according to Go Banking Rates. In Philadelphia, you need a $92,639 salary, so the apartment prices are lower to match the lower salaries.

For me, a $1,200 studio apartment seems like a bargain, but to some people across the country, that price may seem way too high. And for some in Philadelphia, a $1,200 studio apartment with a pool and a grocery store will seem like a luxury they can never reach.

From a New Yorker's perspective, however, these prices were eye-opening.

Most New Yorkers operate under the assumption that the high rent prices are worth it for what the city offers. For many years, I believed this to be true, too. But quickly, I'm realizing that $1,000 in New York can only get you so far. In cities like Philadelphia, I can get a lot more bang for my buck.

Essentially, I could afford a studio or one-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia's most desirable neighborhoods with high-end amenities for about the same price I pay in New York City to share a two-bedroom in a less desirable neighborhood with no amenities.

This simple fact has left me questioning if New York really is worth the higher price tag, especially since I can see myself being comfortable in Philadelphia.