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No Kings protests planned throughout Philly region this weekend

The protests are expected to bring road closures and traffic delays.

Politics

The third round of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Kings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/16/no-kings-protest-philly-pennsylvania-trump-october" data-vars-content-id="8e8de9e0-267f-4b6b-8f7a-f91f73a8ff73" data-vars-headline="No Kings protests planned throughout Philly region this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/16/no-kings-protest-philly-pennsylvania-trump-october" target="_self">No Kings</a> rallies is set for Philadelphia&#x27;s Center City and other spots across the region this weekend. Why it matters: The potentially large-scale protests will prompt daylong road closures and traffic delays on Saturday.

Uber escalates fight over Philadelphia's proposed rideshare tax

The fight is shaping up as Soda Tax 2.0, echoing the battle the beverage industry waged against former Mayor Kenney.

News

Uber is launching an aggressive campaign to defeat Mayor Cherelle Parker&#x27;s proposed rideshare tax — tapping a high-powered Philadelphia lobbying firm and warning riders how the fee will hit their wallets.Why it matters: The fight is shaping up as Soda Tax 2.0, reminiscent of the bruising battle the beverage industry waged against former Mayor Jim Kenney&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signature initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/01/12/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-legacy-moments" data-vars-content-id="f0ab01d1-070f-442f-a838-54463132480c" data-vars-headline="Uber escalates fight over Philadelphia&#x27;s proposed rideshare tax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/01/12/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-legacy-moments" target="_self">signature initiative</a> to fund universal pre-kindergarten, plus renovations to parks and recreation centers.

Phillies trade Harry Kalas' name for energy drink sponsor — fans cry foul

The move landed like a 103-mph fastball to the ribs.

Sports

The Phillies have found themselves in a pickle before the season starts over their decision to remove legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas&#x27; name from an upper-deck concessions bar as part of a naming rights deal with Ghost Energy.Why it matters: To fans, the move landed like a 103-mph fastball to the ribs — and it&#x27;s coming from their own team.

Philly weekender: Cherry blossoms and Oddities Expo

Fill out your social calendar with these can't-miss events in the Philadelphia region.

Things to Do

🎉 Celebrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philly Flag Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWVGOElDIOA/" data-vars-content-id="9746e2f2-2588-467d-b1bf-b7f68a022678" data-vars-headline="Philly weekender: Cherry blossoms and Oddities Expo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWVGOElDIOA/" target="_blank">Philly Flag Day</a> today from noon-1pm. The annual event, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="marking what&#x27;s likely the first official city flag in the U.S." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/20/city-flag-redesign" data-vars-content-id="9746e2f2-2588-467d-b1bf-b7f68a022678" data-vars-headline="Philly weekender: Cherry blossoms and Oddities Expo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/20/city-flag-redesign" target="_self">marking what&#x27;s likely the first official city flag in the U.S.</a>, is set for the north apron of City Hall, where you&#x27;ll find music, giveaways and award ceremony. 🌸 It&#x27;s cherry blossom time! Philly&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherry Blossom Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://japanphilly.org/programs/festivals/cbf-2026/" data-vars-content-id="9746e2f2-2588-467d-b1bf-b7f68a022678" data-vars-headline="Philly weekender: Cherry blossoms and Oddities Expo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://japanphilly.org/programs/festivals/cbf-2026/" target="_blank">Cherry Blossom Festival</a> is Saturday and Sunday at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fairmount Park Horticulture Center" data-vars-click-url="https://myphillypark.org/explore/parks/fairmount-park-horticulture-center/" data-vars-content-id="9746e2f2-2588-467d-b1bf-b7f68a022678" data-vars-headline="Philly weekender: Cherry blossoms and Oddities Expo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://myphillypark.org/explore/parks/fairmount-park-horticulture-center/" target="_blank">Fairmount Park Horticulture Center</a>. <ul><li>Count on vendor fair, food court, tea ceremony, face painting, calligraphy station, a scavenger hunt and other activities. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://japanphilly.org/programs/festivals/cbf-2026/" data-vars-content-id="9746e2f2-2588-467d-b1bf-b7f68a022678" data-vars-headline="Philly weekender: Cherry blossoms and Oddities Expo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://japanphilly.org/programs/festivals/cbf-2026/" target="_blank">Tickets</a>: $5-$20; kids under 12 are free. </li></ul>

New property tax assessments are coming in Philadelphia

Bigger bills are on the way for many property owners despite Mayor Cherelle Parker not proposing a citywide tax hike.

Real Estate

Philadelphia is resuming property assessments after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taking a year off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/31/property-taxes-assessments-2025-skipped-parker" data-vars-content-id="d7c149bf-5dff-456e-9bc3-76f15742f4c5" data-vars-headline="New property tax assessments are coming in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/31/property-taxes-assessments-2025-skipped-parker" target="_self">taking a year off</a>.Why it matters: Bigger bills are on the way for many property owners despite Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherelle Parker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/12/city-budget-cherelle-parker-business-taxes-ride-shares" data-vars-content-id="d7c149bf-5dff-456e-9bc3-76f15742f4c5" data-vars-headline="New property tax assessments are coming in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/12/city-budget-cherelle-parker-business-taxes-ride-shares" target="_self">Cherelle Parker</a> not proposing a citywide tax hike.

HOA fees rise in Philly metro as more homes list with fees

Climbing HOA fees add to the already high cost of homeownership.

More homes listed for sale in the Philadelphia region came with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeowners association" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/29/condo-hoa-fee-state" data-vars-content-id="a4e4e221-48ae-46cb-aa2a-f8d773318f99" data-vars-headline="HOA fees rise in Philly metro as more homes list with fees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/29/condo-hoa-fee-state" target="_self">homeowners association</a> fees in 2025 — and those dues grew from the previous year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" data-vars-content-id="a4e4e221-48ae-46cb-aa2a-f8d773318f99" data-vars-headline="HOA fees rise in Philly metro as more homes list with fees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a> data shows.Why it matters: Climbing HOA fees add to the already high cost of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeownership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="a4e4e221-48ae-46cb-aa2a-f8d773318f99" data-vars-headline="HOA fees rise in Philly metro as more homes list with fees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">homeownership</a>.

Philadelphia homeowners are staying put longer than ever

That — along with still-high home prices and tight inventory — is keeping the housing market on ice.

Homes in the Philadelphia region just aren&#x27;t <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changing hands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/homeowner-years-mortgage-rates-metro" data-vars-content-id="950307e2-16f3-4cc3-ac16-32f3e86d64e7" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia homeowners are staying put longer than ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/homeowner-years-mortgage-rates-metro" target="_self">changing hands</a> like they used to. Why it matters: That — along with still-high home prices and tight inventory — is keeping the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="950307e2-16f3-4cc3-ac16-32f3e86d64e7" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia homeowners are staying put longer than ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">housing market</a> on ice.

The gap between renting and owning in Philly

Philly's shortage of affordable housing shortage and declining home ownership rates are perennial problems.

Business

Owning a home is 40% more expensive in Philadelphia than renting — a national trend playing out across all 100 of the largest U.S. metro areas, per a LendingTree <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/comparing-rent-vs-owning-a-home-in-nations-largest-metros/" data-vars-content-id="5fc98c70-ae15-4771-9457-12ea3ecce4eb" data-vars-headline="The gap between renting and owning in Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/comparing-rent-vs-owning-a-home-in-nations-largest-metros/" target="_blank">analysis</a>.Why it matters: Housing costs have soared nationwide, with stubbornly high home prices and mortgage rates weighing on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="would-be buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="5fc98c70-ae15-4771-9457-12ea3ecce4eb" data-vars-headline="The gap between renting and owning in Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">would-be buyers</a>.<ul><li>Homeowners with a mortgage now pay around 37% more per month than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/apartment-rent-prices" data-vars-content-id="5fc98c70-ae15-4771-9457-12ea3ecce4eb" data-vars-headline="The gap between renting and owning in Philly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/apartment-rent-prices" target="_self">renters</a>, researchers found.</li></ul>

Homeowners are staying put in Philadelphia

Philly's 2025 turnover rate was among one of the lowest in the country.

Just 1.8% of Philly metro homes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changed hands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/10/home-sale-contract-cancel" data-vars-content-id="b94b1f2e-c5b0-436f-9486-2e1460bc18e5" data-vars-headline="Homeowners are staying put in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/10/home-sale-contract-cancel" target="_self">changed hands</a> in the first nine months of this year, down from a 2.6% turnover rate in 2019, per a Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/home-turnover-report-2025/" data-vars-content-id="b94b1f2e-c5b0-436f-9486-2e1460bc18e5" data-vars-headline="Homeowners are staying put in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/home-turnover-report-2025/" target="_blank">analysis</a>.Why it matters: Nationally, homes are selling &quot;at historically low rates&quot; as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/homes-buyers-sellers-redfin" data-vars-content-id="b94b1f2e-c5b0-436f-9486-2e1460bc18e5" data-vars-headline="Homeowners are staying put in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/homes-buyers-sellers-redfin" target="_self">costs</a> stay high, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeowners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" data-vars-content-id="b94b1f2e-c5b0-436f-9486-2e1460bc18e5" data-vars-headline="Homeowners are staying put in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" target="_self">homeowners</a> cling to cheaper mortgages, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/stock-market-gdp-inflation" data-vars-content-id="b94b1f2e-c5b0-436f-9486-2e1460bc18e5" data-vars-headline="Homeowners are staying put in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/stock-market-gdp-inflation" target="_self">economic</a> uncertainty makes shoppers hesitate, per the real estate site.

Pennsylvania's mortgage-free homes

Mortgage or not, it's getting pricier to own and maintain a home.

The share of mortgage-free homes in Pennsylvania has marched upward over the past decade, per the latest Census Bureau data.Why it matters: This national trend comes as homeowners stay put and more people buy homes with cash.

Millennials' slice of Philadelphia region's housing market

Nearly 40% of Philly's housing stock was built before 1939, making for potentially costly repairs for first-time homebuyers.

Millennials made up nearly 53% of mortgage purchase inquiries in the Philadelphia metro last year, down from roughly 56% in 2023, according to a LendingTree analysis. Why it matters: High <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" data-vars-content-id="cfb1ffec-d0d4-4903-b49e-8b6016b20d6f" data-vars-headline="Millennials&#x27; slice of Philadelphia region&#x27;s housing market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" target="_self">housing</a> prices, near-6% mortgage rates and a shortage of affordable homes are keeping many <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shoppers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/20/fixer-upper-home-sale" data-vars-content-id="cfb1ffec-d0d4-4903-b49e-8b6016b20d6f" data-vars-headline="Millennials&#x27; slice of Philadelphia region&#x27;s housing market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/20/fixer-upper-home-sale" target="_self">shoppers</a>, especially younger people, out of the market.

Philly's student housing is getting pricier

Students' rents are up 14.5% from 2020, new data shows.

Students&#x27; rents are getting more expensive across the Philly metro, up 14.5% on average this year from 2020, per Moody&#x27;s data obtained by Axios. Why it matters: Pricey student housing adds to the already-high <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost of college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/17/college-cost-survey" data-vars-content-id="08c279a0-0c3c-49b2-aa52-ff522e3216dc" data-vars-headline="Philly&#x27;s student housing is getting pricier" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/17/college-cost-survey" target="_self">cost of college</a>.

The fight for fixer-upper homes in the Philadelphia region

For first-time buyers, fixer-uppers can offer a cheaper entry point.

More homebuyers in the Philadelphia region are chasing fixer-uppers than four years ago, when mortgage rates were lower and houses were more affordable.Why it matters: For first-time buyers, fixer-uppers (smaller, older homes that need work) can offer a cheaper entry point. For flippers, they&#x27;re a chance to profit.The big picture: The Philly metro is one of the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hottest home markets," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/01/10/hottest-real-estate-markets-zillow-philly" data-vars-content-id="182bc4b9-2329-4759-a2ec-75bdd0c63e50" data-vars-headline="The fight for fixer-upper homes in the Philadelphia region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/01/10/hottest-real-estate-markets-zillow-philly" target="_self">hottest home markets,</a> so there&#x27;s a lot of competition for our limited housing stock, making fixer-uppers a good option for some homebuyers. <ul><li>As of July, fixer-uppers accounted for nearly 8% of the region&#x27;s share of homes for sale, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com" data-vars-click-url="http://Realtor.com" data-vars-content-id="182bc4b9-2329-4759-a2ec-75bdd0c63e50" data-vars-headline="The fight for fixer-upper homes in the Philadelphia region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://Realtor.com" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a>. </li></ul>By the numbers: In the Philly region, the median listing price of a single-family home was about $517,000 in July 2025 — but those who opted for fixers-uppers saw nearly a 38.1% discount on those prices (or a savings of nearly $197,000), a spokesperson for Realtor.com tells Axios. Zoom out: Nationally, the median fixer-upper was priced at $200,000 as of July, less than half the $436,250 median for all single-family homes.Trending: Keyword searches for &quot;fixer-upper&quot; have more than tripled since 2021, even as those listings become a bit harder to find, according to the real estate site&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/fixer-uppers-2025/" data-vars-content-id="182bc4b9-2329-4759-a2ec-75bdd0c63e50" data-vars-headline="The fight for fixer-upper homes in the Philadelphia region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/fixer-uppers-2025/" target="_blank">analysis</a>.<ul><li>Fixer-uppers now draw 52% more page views per property than similarly aged, affordable listings.</li></ul>

Center City's office sector struggles to regain its mojo

Vacancies are up, firms are downsizing and job growth isn't robust enough.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Center City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/14/center-city-district-philly-alleys" data-vars-content-id="642f691d-4c44-4993-82ae-a9b6dcb49e3e" data-vars-headline="Center City&#x27;s office sector struggles to regain its mojo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/14/center-city-district-philly-alleys" target="_self">Center City</a>&#x27;s commercial office sector may have lost some of its swagger as it faces slow post-pandemic growth and uncertainty, per a new report.Why it matters: Vacancies are up, firms are downsizing, and some say Center City towers aren&#x27;t the status symbol they once were.

A map shows the share of homes listed for sale in 2025 that included HOA fees, by state. On average, 43.6% of listings included HOA fees. The states where HOA fees were most often included were Nevada (68%), Arizona (65%) and Florida (65%).

Share of homes listed for sale with HOA fees, 2025

Data: Realtor.com; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios

A line chart showing average homeowner tenure in the Philadelphia metro area compared to the U.S. overall. Tenure is the time between the most recent and previous sale dates of a home. Nationally, average tenure has risen from 3.7 years in Q1 2005 to 8.6 years in Q4 2025. In Philadelphia, average tenure has risen from 3.4 years to 9.6 years over the same period.

Average homeowner tenure in Philadelphia

A chart showing the monthly median cost to rent or own by metro area in 2024 among the 100 largest metros. In all metro areas, it was cheaper to rent than it was to own a home. The national average rent price was $1,487 compared to $2,035 to own. In the Philadelphia metro, the median rental cost was $1,567 compared to $2,199 to own.

Monthly median cost to rent or own by metro area

Data: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data; Note: Monthly costs include utilities, fees, and/or taxes; Median housing costs above $4,000 are recorded as "$4,000+" by the Census Bureau; Chart: Jacque Schrag/Axios

A bar chart showing the home turnover rate in the Philadelphia metro area from 2019 to 2025, through September of each year. In 2019, 2.6% of sellable homes were sold, compared to 1.8% in 2025.

Real Estate 🏠

New property tax assessments are coming in Philadelphia

HOA fees rise in Philly metro as more homes list with fees

Philadelphia homeowners are staying put longer than ever

The gap between renting and owning in Philly

Homeowners are staying put in Philadelphia