Rental Prices Keep Climbing as Papal Visit Nears

As the months before the pope’s visit tick past, prices for rental in Philadelphia – and especially in Center City – keep climbing. There are fewer than 20,000 hotel rooms in the city, which is a minor number compared to the upwards of one million people expected to make a pilgrimage to the city to see the pontiff. That means that many visitors will be staying in home rentals through Airbnb or similar services, and research shows that the going rate for these rooms and homes is doing nothing but going up.

The pope will hold mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (Photo: Philly.com)

The pope will be in Philadelphia on the weekend of September 26-27. It will be his first trip to the United States since becoming pontiff. He will also visit New York and Washington D.C., but the focus of his visit will be in Philly, where he will celebrate the World Meeting of Families with a public mass to be held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway outside of the Philadelphia Art Museum. He is also expected to give a speech at Independence Hall on the subjects of religious freedom and immigration.

Forbes published an article recently on the rising trend of high prices in rentals available during Pope Francis’ visit. According to the piece, the average nightly fee for a home inside the city is about $733. Certain rentals, including those right on Rittenhouse Square, are going for thousands. Obviously those homes closest to the Parkway are commanding the highest prices. There is even a Facebook page, called Popedelphia, where residents can list their rentals. One thing is for sure – it’s going to be a crazy weekend.